2 Chronicles 21:4

_AND HE HAD BRETHREN THE SONS OF JEHOSHAPHAT, AZARIAH, AND JEHIEL, AND ZECHARIAH, AND AZARIAH, AND MICHAEL, AND SHEPHATIAH: ALL THESE WERE THE SONS OF JEHOSHAPHAT KING OF ISRAEL._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

1-11 Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter....

Verse 2 Chronicles 21:4. _SLEW ALL HIS BRETHREN_] What a truly diabolic thing is the _lust of power_! it destroys all the charities of life, and renders those who are under its influence the truest resemblants of the arch fiend. That he might sit the more secure upon his throne, this execrable man imbrues his hands in the blood of his own brothers! There are more instances of this species of cruelty among bad Asiatic kings than among any other class of men. The history of every country abounds in proofs; even that of our own is not the least barren....

The execution of several “princes of Israel” (i. e. of Judah; see 2 Chronicles 20:34 note) implies that Jehoram’s brothers found supporters among the chief men of the country, and that Jehoram’s sole sovereignty was not established without a struggle....

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

NOW WHEN JEHORAM WAS RISEN UP TO THE KINGDOM OF HIS FATHER,.... Succeeded him in it, and reigned alone, for he had reigned with his father some years before his death; 2 Kings 8:16, HE STRENGTHENED HIMSELF; in the kingdom, by some means or another closely attaching the greater part of the princes, and people of the land, unto him, when he thought himself well settled and established on the throne; though some understand it of making strong, or hardening his heart to do what is next mentioned: AND SLEW ALL HIS BRETHREN WITH THE SWORD; either to get their riches into his hands, or lest, being religious princes, they should oppose his restoring idolatry, and for that reason the people should depose him, and set up one of them; and therefore he dispatched them out of the way to secure himself, and carry his point: and [divers] also of the pr

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

SLEW ALL HIS BRETHREN. The mischief of his marriage (2 Chronicles 18:1) was thus soon seen. The enemy's design in breaking into the royal line so as to destroy the promises of Genesis 3:15 and 2 Samuel 7:16 is seen. See App-23. Jehoshaphat made the beginning (2 Chronicles 18:1); Jehoram follows it up (2 Chronicles 21:4); the Arabians continue the assault (2 Chronicles 21:17;...

_to the kingdom_ R.V. OVER THE KINGDOM. _he strengthened himself, and slew_ R.V. AND HAD STRENGTHENED HIMSELF, HE SLEW. For "strengthened himself" cp. 2 Chronicles 1:1 (note)....