2 Chronicles 21

Josaphat dieth, and Joram his son reigneth, v.1.&c. who murdereth his brethren, 2. His wicked reign, 5. The Edomites and Libna revolt from him, 8. And according to a writing of Elia, 12 he is vexed by the Philistines and Arabians, who plunder his house, and carry away his sons and his wives, 16. Moreover he is plague with an incurable disease, whereof he dieth, 18. And is buried without the usual solemnity, 19.

1. After that Josaphat fell asleep with his Fathers, [That is, died. A further explication of this phrase, see Deut.31.on v.16. and 1 Kings 1.on v.21.] and was buried by his Fathers in the city of David: [see 1 Kings 2.on v.10.] and Joram his son became king in his stead.

2. And he had brethren, the sons of Josaphat, Azaria, and Jehiel, and Zecharia, and Azariahu, and Michael, and Sephatia: All these were sons of Josaphat king of Israel. [That is, of the two tribes of Israel, Juda, and Benjamin, and of the cities which pertaining to the kingdom of Israel did join themselves to Juda. See above chap.13.19. and 15.9. and 19.4. Thus Josaphats Rulers are called Princes of Israel, below v.4. see also above chap.15.on v.17. and below chap.23.on v.2.]

3. And their Father had given them many gifts silver, and of gold, and of choice costlinesses, [See of the Hebrew word, Gen.24.on v.53.] with fenced cities in Juda: but the Kingdom he gave to Joram, because he was the first-born. [for to the right of the first-born belonged also the dominion over his brethren. See Gen.25.on v.31. And hence may gathered, that Josaphat in making choice of his successor had more respect to the law of God, Deut.22.15. then to the sitness of the person, who was wicked by reason of a wicked wife that he had married, below v.6. and was not so good as his brethren, v.13.]

4. When Joram was come up to the Kingdom of his Father, and had strengthened himself, then he slew all his brethren with the sword; as also (certain) of the Princes of Israel. [See above on v.2.]

5. Joram was two and thirty years old, [Hebr. a son of two and thirty years] when he became king; and he reigned eight years at Jerusalem. [to wit, counting therein the years that he reigned with his Father: For he supplied his fathers place a while. See 1 Kings 22.on vers.42. and 2 Kings 8.on v.16.]

6. And he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, [That is, he imitated them in their idolatry and wickedness. So 2 Kings 16:3. and below chap.28.2, etc.] according as the house of Achab did; for he had the daughter of Achab [called Athalia, below ch.22.2. of whose idolatrous ungodliness, wickedness, and tyranny see in the same chapter, viz. chap 22.v,3,10. And chap.24.7.] to wife: And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. [understand especially idolatry and tyranny. See 1 Kings 11.on v.6.]

7. Yet the LORD would not destroy the house of David, [That is, the family and posterity of David. See 1 King.14.on v.10.] for the covenants sake, which he had made with David; [see 2 Sam.7.12. 1 Kings 11:36. Psa.132.11, 17.] and according as he had said; to give a lamp to him, and to his sons [see 1 Kings 11.on v.36.] at all days (or for ever.) [see 2 Sam.7.on v.13.]

8. In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion [Heb. hand; that is, power, command, dominion] of Juda, [Under which power David had brought them, 2 Sam.8.14. and thus Isaacs prophecy came to be fulfilled, Gen.27.40.] and they made a king over them.

9. Therefore Joram marched forth with his Princes, [To wit, to Sair, a place lying in Idumea, 2 Kings 8:21.] and all the charets with him: And he gat him up [Heb. he was getting him up, or, he was rising up] by night, and smote the Edomites that were round about him, and the Captains of the Charets.

10. Not with standing the Edomites revolted from under the command of Juda unto this day; [That is, which revolting continueth unto this day. Understand the time of the Babylonish captivity. So 1 Chron.4.v41.] then, at the same time, Libna revolted from under his command: [see 2 Kings 8.on v.22.] for he had forsaken the LORD the God of his Fathers. [to wit, by abominable idolatry, which he not only practice himself, but whereunto he also publicilly and violently compelled his subjects. See the next verse.]

11. Also he made high places [See Lev.26.on v.30.] on the mountains of Juda: And he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, [that is, to commit idolatry, which is spiritual whoredome: so below v.13. See Lev.17.on v.7. and 20.on v.5.] yea he compelled Juda (thereto.)

12. Then there came a writing to him from Elia the Prophet, [Meaning a written by Elia the Prophet, while Josaphat was yet alive, before whose death Elia was taken up into heaven, as may be gathered from 2 Kings 3:11. In this writing Elia had prophesied of the state and condition of the kingdom of Juda under Joram; as the man of God that came to Bethel, had prophesied a long while before of king Josia, 1 Kings 13:2. and Isaias of Cyrus, chapters 44. And 45. And Daniel of the Monarchies and kingdoms of the earth, Dan.2. and 7. Etc. unless it be conceived that this was another Elias then the Tisbite] saying; Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy Father, because thou hast not walked in the ways of Josaphat thy Father, and in the ways of Asa king of Juda: [see 1 Kings 15.on v.26.]

13. But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Juda, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, according to the whoring of the house of Achab: [Or, as the house of Achab hath caused (Israel) to go a whoring] and hast slain thy brethren of thy Fathers house, which were better then thou:

14. Behold, the LORD will plague (thee) with a great plague in thy people, and in thy children, and in thy wives, and in all thy substance. [This phrase is found full and entire, and without insertion, below v.18. Oth. The LORD will plague thy people, and thy children, &c. with a great plagued. See the fulfilling of this threatening below v.16, etc.]

15. Thou shalt also be in great [Or, many] diseases, by the disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the disease, year by year. [Hebr. days upon days; that is, year by year, to wit, two years. For this was the set time of this sickness or disease, below v.19. The word days is sometimes taken for full year, having all its days; So below v.19. See Lev.25.on v.29. Others understand this thus, that he should be daily troubled with this disease.]

16. Then the LORD stirred up against Joram the spirit [That is, the Judgement, will, intent, mind. See 2 Kings 19.on vers.7.] of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, [meaning the inhabitants of the stony and high Arabia] which are at the side [Heb. at the hand. The word hand signifieth sometimes the side of any thing, as Job 1:14.] of the Moors.

17. They marched up into Juda, and brake into it, [To wit, by force of arms, overrunning all, and breaking although all, to the very city of Jerusalem, yea also possessing themselves of the city, and plundering it, as appeareth by the words following] and carried away all the substance that was found in the kings house; even his sons also, and his wives: So that (there) was never a son left him, save Joahaz [called also Ahazia, below ch.22.1. and Azaria, below chap.22.6.] the least of his sons.

18. And after all this the LORD plagued him in his bowels with a disease, which was not to be healed. [To wit, wherewith Elia had threatened him, above verse 15.]

19. This came pass from year to year, [That is from the first year to the second] so that when the time of the end of the two years expired, [which Elia had determined in that writing] his bowels fell out by reason of the disease; (so) that he died of evil diseases: And his people made no burning for him, [to wit, of sweet-smelling, or precious spices. See above chap.16.on v.14.] like the burning of his Fathers.

20. He was two and thirty (years) old when he became king, and reigned eight years at Jerusalem: And he departed, [That is, he went the way of all the Earth, as is said, Jos.23.14. 1 Kings 2:2. that is, he died] without being desired, [that is, he lived without honor, without delight, and in pain] and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the Sepulchres of the kings.