2 Chronicles 21:12

_AND THERE CAME A 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,_ There came a writing to him from Elijah. There have been various efforts made toward as explanation of this singular occurrence. Some have thought that that prophet's translation having taken place in the reign of Jehoshaphat, the name of Elijah has, by the error of a transcriber, been put for that of Elisha. That opinion, however, is not supported by any manuscript authority. Grotius considered that the letter had come directly from the invisible world. Cajetan conjectured that some other Elijah was intended. But 'the writing' х_ MIKTAAB _ (H4385)] was in all probability a written prophecy rather than a letter; and in that case it might very well have been written by Elij...

12-20 A warning from God was sent to Jehoram. The Spirit of prophecy might direct Elijah to prepare this writing in the foresight of Jehoram's crimes. He is plainly told that his sin should certainly ruin him. But no marvel that sinners are not frightened from sin, and to repentance, by the threatenings of misery in another world, when the certainty of misery in this world, the sinking of their estates, and the ruin of their health, will not restrain them from vicious courses. See Jehoram here stripped of all his comforts. Thus God plainly showed that the controversy was with him, and his house. He had slain all his brethren to strengthen himself; now, all his sons are slain but one. David's house must not be wholly destroyed, like those of Israel's kings, because a blessing was in it; that of the Messiah. Good men may be afflicted with diseases; but to them they are fatherly chastiseme...

Verse 2 Chronicles 21:12. _THERE CAME A WRITING TO HIM FROM ELIJAH THE PROPHET_] From 2 Kings 2:11, it is evident that Elijah had been translated in the reign of Jehoshaphat, the father of Jehoram. How then could he send a letter to the son? Some say he sent it from heaven by an angel; others, that by the spirit of prophecy he foresaw this defection of Jehoram, and left the letter with Elisha, to be sent to him when this defection should take place; others say that _Elijah_ is put here for _Elisha_; and others, that _this Elijah_ was not the _same_ that was translated, but another prophet of the same name. There are others who think that, as Elijah was still in the _body_, for he did not _die_, but was _translated_, he sent this letter from that secret pla...

This is the only notice which we have of Elijah in Chronicles. As a prophet of the northern kingdom, he engaged but slightly the attention of the historian of the southern one. The notice shows that Elijah did not confine his attention to the affairs of his own state, but strove to check the progress of idolatry in Judah. And it proves that he was alive after the death of Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 21:13; a fact bearing (1) upon the chronological order of 2 Kings 2:1 (see the note), and (2) showing that Elisha, who prophesied in the time of Jehoshaphat. 2 Kings 3:11 commenced his public ministry before his master’s tran

EXPOSITION The matter of this chapter may be divided into four parts. The death and burial of Jehoshaphat, and the number, names, and position of his sons (2 Chronicles 21:1). The accession and wicked course of Jehoram, the eldest son (2 Chronicles 21:4). The written warning and denunciation of Elijah, and the very practical warning of the Philistines, etc. (2 Chronicles 21:12). The disease, death, and burial of Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:18-14). 2 Chronicles 21:1

AND THERE CAME A WRITING TO HIM FROM ELIJAH THE PROPHET,.... Not what was written by him after his ascension to heaven, and from thence came to Jehoram, even seven years after that, as say some Jewish writers z; nor was it a writing from another person of the same name in those times, since of such an one we nowhere read; nor from Elisha bearing the name of Elijah, having a double portion of his spirit on him, since he is never so called; but this was a writing of Elijah's before his ascension, who, foreseeing by a spirit of prophecy what Jehoram would be guilty of, wrote this, and gave it to one of the prophets, as Kimchi suggests, and most probably to Elisha, to communicate it to him at a proper time; and who might, as the above writer intimates, think it came immediately from heaven: SAYING, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD OF DAVID THY FATHER; and from whose God he had departed, and to which...

ELIJAH See Elijah history. (1 Kings 17:1); (2 Kings 2:12)....

3. DECLINE AND APOSTASY UNDER JEHORAM, AHAZIAH AND ATHALIAH CHAPTER 21 The Reign of Jehoram _ 1. Jehoram's wicked reign (2 Chronicles 21:1)_ 2. Revolt of Edom (2 Chronicles 21:8) 3. Revolt of Libnah (2 Chronicles 21:10) 4. The message of Elijah (2 Chronicles 21:12) 5. Judah invaded (2 Chronicles 21:16) 6. Jehoram's sickness and death (2 Chron

THE REIGN OF JEHORAM (see notes on 1 Kings 22:50; 2 Kings 8:17). A large part of this section has nothing corresponding to it in 1 and 2 K. 2 Chronicles 21:1. _Cf._ 1 Kings 22:50. 2 Chronicles 21:5. _Cf._ 2 Kings 8:17. 2 Chronicles 21:7. a lamp to him and...: the lamp is an expression symbolic of a ma

THERE CAME. was brought. Why assume that Elijah then sent it? It might have "come" as Holy Scripture comes to us to-day, though written in the past. It does not say. "letter" (which would be _'iggereth,_ or _sepher_,. book), but _michetab,_ any writing, written at any time; probably. prophetic writing to be delivered at this particular time. ELIJAH. Long since raptured (2 Kings 2. Compare 2 Chronicles 3:11). This is the only mention of Elijah in Chronicles....