Jehoram: Jehovah-exalted.1. Son of Toi, king of Hamath, sent by his father to congratulate
David on the occasion of his victory over Hadadezer
(2 Samuel 8:10)
2. A Levite of the family of Gershom
(1 Chronicles 26:25)
3. A priest sent by Jehoshaphat to instructruct the people in Judah
(2 Chronicles 17:8)
4. The son of Ahab and Jezebel, and successor to his brother
Ahaziah on the throne of Israel. He reigned twelve years, B.C.
896-894
(2 Kings 1:17; 3:1) His first work was to reduce to subjection
the Moabites, who had asserted their independence in the reign
of his brother. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, assisted Jehoram in
this effort. He was further helped by his ally the king of Edom.
Elisha went forth with the confederated army
(2 Kings 3:1-19) and at
the solicitation of Jehoshaphat encouraged the army with the
assurance from the Lord of a speedy victory. The Moabites under
Mesha their king were utterly routed and their cities destroyed.
At Kir-haraseth Mesha made a final stand. The Israelites
refrained from pressing their victory further, and returned to
their own land. Elisha afterwards again befriended Jehoram when
a war broke out between the Syrians and Israel, and in a
remarkable way brought that war to a bloodless close
(2 Kings 6:23)
But Jehoram, becoming confident in his own power, sank into
idolatry, and brought upon himself and his land another Syrian
invasion, which led to great suffering and distress in Samaria
(2 Kings 6:24-33) By a remarkable providential interposition the city
was saved from utter destruction, and the Syrians were put to
flight
(2 Kings 7:6-15) Jehoram was wounded in a battle with the
Syrians at Ramah, and obliged to return to Jezreel
(2 Kings 8:29)
(2 Kings 9:14,15) and soon after the army proclaimed their leader
Jehu king of Israel, and revolted from their allegiance to
Jehoram
(2 Kings 9:1)ff Jehoram was pierced by an arrow from
Jehu's bow on the piece of ground at Jezreel which Ahab had
taken from Naboth, and there he died
(2 Kings 9:21-29)
5. The eldest son and successor of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. He
reigned eight years (B.C. 892-884) alone as king of Judah, having
been previously for some years associated with his father
(2 Chronicles 21:5,20; 2 Kings 8:16) His wife was Athaliah, the daughter of
Ahab and Jezebel. His daughter Jehosheba was married to the high
priest Jehoiada. He sank into gross idolatry, and brought upon
himself and his kingdom the anger of Jehovah. The Edomites
revolted from under his yoke, and the Philistines and the
Arabians and Cushites invaded the land, and carried away great
spoil, along with Jehoram's wives and all his children, except
Ahaziah. He died a painful death from a fearful malady, and was
refused a place in the sepulchre of the kings
(2 Kings 8:16-24; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20)