Chronicles of the Past Dynasties_Chapter 21

Jehoshaphat slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David. His son Joram succeeded him as king.

Joram had several brothers, namely Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah, sons of Jehoshaphat. These are all the sons of King Jehoshaphat of Judah.

Their father gave them a lot of gold and silver, treasures, and fortified cities in the land of Judah. But give the kingdom to Joram, because he is the eldest son.

Jehoram rose up and sat on his father’s throne, fighting bravely and strengthening himself. He then killed his brothers and several leaders of Israel with the sword.

Joram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem for eight years.

He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just like the house of Ahab. Because he married the daughter of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

But the Lord refused to destroy David’s house because of the covenant he had made with him, and as he promised, he will forever give a light to David and his descendants.

During the reign of Joram, the Edomites rebelled against Judah and withdrew from his authority, establishing their own king.

So Joram led the commanders of the army and all the chariots, and rose up at night to attack the Edomites and the chariot commanders who were besieging him.

So the Edomites rebelled against Judah and escaped from his authority until today. At that time, the people of Linah also rebelled, because Joram had abandoned the Lord, the God of his ancestors.

He also built high places in the mountains of Judah, causing the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit adultery and tempting Judah.

The prophet Eliada believed and said to Joram, “This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: ‘Because you have not followed the path of your father Jehoshaphat and King Asa of Judah.'”,

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, causing Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit adultery, like the house of Ahab, and he killed all the brothers of your father’s house who were better than you.

Therefore, the Lord has brought a great disaster upon your people, your wives, children, and all that you have.

Your intestines will become diseased and become increasingly heavy, so that your intestines will fall down.

Afterwards, the Lord stirred up the Philistines and the Arabians who were near Cush to attack Joram.

They came up to attack Judah, invaded the territory, and plundered all the wealth in the king’s palace, as well as his wife and children. Except for his youngest son Jehoahaz (also known as Ahaziah), they did not leave a son behind.

After these things, the Lord caused an incurable disease in Joram’s intestines.

He suffered from this disease for a long time, and after two years, his intestines fell down and he died of serious illness. His people did not burn anything for him, just as they burned for his ancestors before.

Joram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem for eight years. No one admired his passing, and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.