📖 2 Chronicles — Chapter 21 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Chronicles 21:1 Now RJehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 21:2 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 RIsrael.
2 Chronicles 21:3 And their father Rgave 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.
2 Chronicles 21:4 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and Rslew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
2 Chronicles 21:5 Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 21:6 And he walked Rin 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.
2 Chronicles 21:7 RHowbeit 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 Tlight to him and to his sons for ever.
2 Chronicles 21:8 In his days Rthe Edomites revolted from under the Tdominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
2 Chronicles 21:9 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.
2 Chronicles 21:10 So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did RLibnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
2 Chronicles 21:11 RMoreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
2 Chronicles 21:12 And there came Ra 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,
2 Chronicles 21:13 But hast walked Rin 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:
2 Chronicles 21:14 Behold, with Ta great Rplague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
2 Chronicles 21:15 And thou shalt have great sickness Rby disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
2 Chronicles 21:16 Moreover Rthe LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
2 Chronicles 21:17 And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and RTcarried 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 TJehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
2 Chronicles 21:18 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with Ran incurable disease.
2 Chronicles 21:19 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 Rmade no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
2 Chronicles 21:20 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed RTwithout being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 21:1–7 — Jehoram's violent beginning
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jehoram inherits the kingdom and kills his brothers and other leaders. He follows Ahab's household rather than his father's faithful example. The LORD nevertheless preserves David's house because of his covenant. God's covenant mercy does not make Jehoram's violence acceptable; the narrative identifies his conduct as evil.
Key Truth: Power must never excuse wrongdoing toward others.
Check What You Remember
1. Who succeeded Jehoshaphat? (2 Chronicles 21:1)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:1 (KJV).
2. Why had his father given him the kingdom? (2 Chronicles 21:3)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:3 (KJV).
3. Whose covenant kept David's house from destruction? (2 Chronicles 21:7)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 21:8–15 — Revolt and a prophetic warning
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Edom and Libnah revolt, and Jehoram promotes unfaithful worship. A writing from Elijah names his departure from his predecessors' ways and his murder of his brothers, announcing severe consequences. The warning exposes both religious betrayal and violence. Public religious influence cannot be separated from how a ruler treats people.
Key Truth: God holds leaders accountable for worship and treatment of people.
Check What You Remember
1. Name one place that revolted. (2 Chronicles 21:10)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:10 (KJV).
2. Which prophet sent a writing? (2 Chronicles 21:12)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:12 (KJV).
3. Whom had Jehoram slain within his father's house? (2 Chronicles 21:13)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 21:16–20 — The reign's sorrowful end
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Invaders take Jehoram's possessions and household, and severe disease ends his life. He dies without being desired and is excluded from the royal tombs. The account presents consequences of his particular wrongdoing, not an explanation for every person's illness. His reign leaves a legacy of harm rather than gratitude.
Key Truth: Consider the legacy your actions leave among others.
Check What You Remember
1. Which youngest son remained? (2 Chronicles 21:17)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:17 (KJV).
2. How many years did Jehoram reign? (2 Chronicles 21:20)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:20 (KJV).
3. Was he buried in the sepulchres of the kings? (2 Chronicles 21:20)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 21:20 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 29:2 — The proverb contrasts the people's response to righteous and wicked rule.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you use influence to protect others rather than secure yourself at their expense?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does Jehoram treat brothers who had received gifts and cities from their father?
2. What restrains the destruction of David’s house despite Jehoram’s evil?
3. How is Libnah’s revolt connected to Jehoram’s conduct?
4. What faults are named in Elijah’s writing beyond failure to follow faithful kings?
5. How does the closing treatment reflect the dishonour of his end?
Notes
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