View 2nd Chronicles 21 in the note window.
Jehoram succeeds, ver. 1 - 3.
His wickedness, ver. 4 - 7.
Edom and Libnah revolt and Jehoram is still more wicked,
ver. 8 - 11.
The prophecy of Elijah against him, ver. 12 - 15.
The success of his enemies, ver. 16, 17.
His sickness and death, ver. 18 - 20.
2: Azariah - Two sons called by the same name, though doubtless
distinguished by some additional title: which is not mentioned here,
because it did not concern succeeding ages to know it. Of Israel - So
he is called either,
- Because he was so by right: or
- Because he was king not only of Judah and Benjamin,
but of a great number of Israelites, who had come and
settled in his kingdom.
4: Strengthened himself - He hardened his heart, as that word
sometimes signifies. Princes - The chief of those Israelites, who out
of love to God and the true religion, had forsaken their estates in
the kingdom of Israel, and were now incorporated with the kingdom
of Judah: because he thought these would be most zealous for that
religion which he was resolved to oppose.
10: Libnah - 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 this
would justify them in their revolt or no, it justified God's providence
which suffered it.
11: High places - Not to the Lord, but to Baals or false gods.
And caused - Not only by his counsel and example, but by force, by
threats, and penalties.
12: From Elijah - By this it appears, that Jehoram came to the
throne before Elijah's translation. It is true, we find Elisha
attending Jehoshaphat; but that might be, while Elijah was yet on
earth: for we read of Jehoram's coming to the crown, before we read
of Elijah's translation, (1Ki 22:50). We may suppose, the time
of his departure was at hand, so that he could not go in person to
Jehoram. But he left this writing, probably with Elisha, to be sent
the first opportunity. The message is sent in the name of the Lord God
of David his father, upbraiding him with his relation to David, as
that which was no more his honour, but an aggravation of his degeneracy.
15: People - Because the generality of them sinned, in complying with
his wicked and idolatrous commands. Wives - Whose lives shall go for the
lives of thy brethren, ver.(4).
16: Philistines - A people fully subdued and dispirited: but God now
raises their spirits and courage to do his work. Ethiopians - A people
in Arabia, so called, either for their likeness in complexion to the
Ethiopians, or because the one of these people were a colony of the
other.
17: His wives - Whom also they slew, (2Ch 22:1), except
Ahaziah and Athaliah; who possibly were hidden in some secret place.
Left him - Blood for blood. He had slain all his brethren; they slay
all his sons, but one. And he had not escaped, had be not been of the
house of David; which must not be extirpated, like that of Ahab:
because a blessing was in it; no less a blessing than that of the Messiah.
20: Desired - This is an emphatical expression, because it is usual
with men to desire the deaths of some persons, whom afterward they lament,
and heartily wish they were alive again. But for this ungodly and unhappy
prince, his people did not only in his life time wish his death, but
afterwards did not repent of those desires.
