Today's Reading:

2 Kings 8:1-15
2 Chronicles 21
2 Chronicles 22:1-9

In 2 Chronicles 21:12-15, Elijah wrote a letter rebuking King Jehoram for following the ways of Israel and Ahab, for murdering his own brothers, and for leading Judah into idolatry.

We had just been reading about Elisha’s powerful ministry, and now we are taken back to Elijah, who had already been taken up to heaven. Here is a helpful snippet of the timeline:

• In 2 Kings 2, Elijah is taken to heaven in a whirlwind during the reign of Jehoshaphat.
• In 2 Kings 3, Elisha steps into his role as prophet.
• In 2 Chronicles 21:1, Jehoram begins to reign after his father Jehoshaphat’s death.

Even after being taken to heaven, Elijah’s voice still spoke truth and warning to the next generation. This shows God’s incredible grace and patience. He continued to reach out with a chance to repent, even to a rebellious king who was heading down a destructive path. The Lord never gives up on sending His word and calling His people back to Him.

This was the account of a tragic reign from the good king Jehoshaphat to his wicked son, Jehoram (Joram). Remember there were two Jehoram (Joram) kings.

Jehoram- Judah (south) The son of the good king Jehoshaphat (who had mostly sought the Lord).

Joram- Israel (north) Immediate violence, killed his brothers and some of the officials.

Jehoram King of Judah #5 (South)- He did not follow in the footsteps of his father Jehoshaphat. Instead, he walked in the evil ways of King Ahab (north). He married one of King Ahab’s daughters, making an alliance between the Southern and Northern Kingdoms. This is why it is imperative in your choice of spouse. Jehoram built high places and introduced Baal and pagan worship into Judah, the Southern Kingdom. They had been doing much better by following the ways of the Lord over the north up until now. The Lord did not destroy Judah because “He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.” (2 Kings 8:19). Here, the “lamp” was a metaphor for continuing the dynasty line, and life in darkness. Grace was given to Judah, not because of Jehoram, but because God remains faithful even when humans sin, and kings fail. He is loyal to His Word.

This shows that the book of Kings is not written chronologically and Jehoram co-ruled with his father for 4-5 years. Elijah had most likely ascended during this co-reign period. Maybe there were early signs of evil because of the outside marriage and then Jehoram became worse later. Some chapters in Kings are grouped based on themes and not timelines. The letter highlights a contrast between Elijah and Ahab/Jezebel confronting the fruit of the evil having an alliance with them in Judah. Can you tell of an event where you noticed how one “small” compromise (like a wrong relationship or alliance) can create ripple effects years later?

It was prophesied that King Jehoram would die of a nasty bowel disease. It was gruesome, and his intestines protruded, decayed, and fell out of his bowels. Similar to modern Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. This was fulfilled in 2 Chronicles 21:18-19. He had alienated himself after killing his family. No one mourned him or gave him a proper burial. God is patient, but leaders are always accountable. His youngest son Ahaziah took over.

Ahaziah King of Judah (south) #6- Ahaziah was Jehoram’s son and only reigned for one year. His mother was the granddaughter of King Omri #10 of Israel (north). Ahaziah was the nephew of Joram (north). Ahaziah went to his uncle Joram, and they combined forces to go against King Hazael of Aram (2 Kings 8:7-15). Together, Ahaziah and Joram went to see Jehu. Ahaziah had visited him while Joram recovered; this was his downfall. This now put Ahaziah in direct path of God’s judgment as He is always in control.

We read of Hazael before, after Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, when he fled from Queen Jezebel, and God spoke to him. Hazael was the commander under Ben-Hadad. Elisha wept because he foresaw the atrocities Hazael would commit against Israel (burn fortresses, kill young men, dashing infants, rip open pregnant women). Hazael assassinated Ben-Hadad and seized the throne.

Jehu- King of Israel #10 (north) and had been commander under Joram. Jehu killed Joram and then Ahaziah and his relatives and officials. He hunted down Ahaziah, who tried to hide in Samaria, and executed him. Ahaziah’s death left the throne vulnerable, with his relatives killed. This sets up Athaliah’s attempt to destroy the royal seed (line of David). God protected the infant Joash (who was hidden by his aunt) to keep the light of David burning.

Queen Athaliah of Judah #7 (south)- After Ahaziah’s death, his mother took over as the first Queen of Judah. She was not a legitimate queen, though, because she was from the Northern Kingdom and not from the line of David (she married Jehoram from the Southern Kingdom). Just like her husband, she killed the entire family. Jehosheba (Ahaziah’s sister) stole baby Joash so he would not die and hid him in the temple with her husband, the high priest, for 6 years.

Jehosheba- Daughter of King Jehoram of Judah (south). Sister to Ahaziah, who saved her nephew, Joash, from being murdered by their grandmother Queen Athaliah. She and her husband, Jehoiada, the high priest of Judah, hid him in the Temple for six years when his father Ahaziah died.

Today's Discussion question:

The letter highlights a contrast between Elijah and Ahab/Jezebel confronting the fruit of the evil having an alliance with them in Judah. Can you tell of an event where you noticed how one “small” compromise (like a wrong relationship or alliance) can create ripple effects years later?

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