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2
Chronicles Chapter Twenty-one
2 Chronicles 21
Chapter Contents
The wicked reign of Jehoram. (1-11) Jehoram's miserable
end. (12-20)
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:1-11
(Read 2 Chronicles 21:1-11)
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.
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21:12-20
(Read 2 Chronicles 21:12-20)
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 chastisements
and by
the support of Divine consolations the soul may dwell at ease
even when the
body lies in pain. To be sick and poor
sick and solitary
but especially to be
sick and in sin
sick and under the curse of God
sick and without grace to
bear it
is a most deplorable case. Wickedness and profaneness make men
despicable
even in the eyes of those who have but little religion.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 Chronicles》
2 Chronicles 21
Verse 2
[2] 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.
Azariah —
Two sons called by the same name
though doubtless distinguished by some
additional title: which is not mentioned here
because it did not concern
succeeding ages to know it.
Of Israel — So
he is called either
1. Because he was so by right: or 2. Because he was king
not only of Judah and Benjamin
but of a great number of Israelites
who had
come and settled in his kingdom.
Verse 4
[4] Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father
he
strengthened himself
and slew all his brethren with the sword
and divers also
of the princes of Israel.
Strengthened himself — He hardened his heart
as that word sometimes signifies.
Princes —
The chief of those Israelites
who out of love to God and the true religion
had forsaken their estates in the kingdom of Israel
and were now incorporated
with the kingdom of Judah: because he thought these would be most zealous for
that religion which he was resolved to oppose.
Verse 10
[10] So
the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time
also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD
God of his fathers.
Libnah —
Libnah seems to have set up for a free state. And the reason is here given
both why God permitted it
and why they did it
because Jehoram was become an
idolater. While he adhered to God
they adhered to him; but when he cast God
off
they cast him off. Whether this would justify them in their revolt or no
it justified God's providence which suffered it.
Verse 11
[11]
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah
and caused the
inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication
and compelled Judah thereto.
High places — Not
to the Lord
but to Baals or false gods.
And caused —
Not only by his counsel and example
but by force
by threats
and penalties.
Verse 12
[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
From Elijah — By
this it appears
that Jehoram came to the throne before Elijah's translation.
It is true
we find Elisha attending Jehoshaphat; but that might be
while
Elijah was yet on earth: for we read of Jehoram's coming to the crown
before
we read of Elijah's translation
1 Kings 22:50. We may suppose
the time of his departure
was at hand
so that he could not go in person to Jehoram. But he left this
writing
probably with Elisha
to be sent the first opportunity. The message is
sent in the name of the Lord God of David his father
upbraiding him with his
relation to David
as that which was no more his honour
but an aggravation of
his degeneracy.
Verse 15
[15] And
thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels
until thy bowels fall
out by reason of the sickness day by day.
People —
Because the generality of them sinned
in complying with his wicked and
idolatrous commands.
Wives —
Whose lives shall go for the lives of thy brethren
verse 4.
Verse 16
[16]
Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines
and
of the Arabians
that were near the Ethiopians:
Philistines — A
people fully subdued and dispirited: but God now raises their spirits and
courage to do his work.
Ethiopians — A
people in Arabia
so called
either for their likeness in complexion to the
Ethiopians
or because the one of these people were a colony of the other.
Verse 17
[17] And
they came up into Judah
and brake into it
and carried away all the substance
that was found in the king's house
and his sons also
and his wives; so that
there was never a son left him
save Jehoahaz
the youngest of his sons.
His wives —
Whom also they slew
chap. 22:1
except Ahaziah and Athaliah; who possibly
were hidden in some secret place.
Left him —
Blood for blood. He had slain all his brethren; they slay all his sons
but
one. And he had not escaped
had be not been of the house of David; which must
not be extirpated
like that of Ahab: because a blessing was in it; no less a
blessing than that of the Messiah.
Verse 20
[20]
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign
and he reigned in
Jerusalem eight years
and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried
him in the city of David
but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
Desired —
This is an emphatical expression
because it is usual with men to desire the
deaths of some persons
whom afterward they lament
and heartily wish they were
alive again. But for this ungodly and unhappy prince
his people did not only
in his life time wish his death
but afterwards did not repent of those
desires.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 2 Chronicles》
21 Chapter 21
Verses 1-20
Verse 20
And departed without being desired.
The undesirableness of a wicked man’s life
I. Such life is
not desirable on its own account. Two facts will show this.
1. His highest enjoyments are unsatisfactory and brief. It is
impossible for us to be satisfied in any condition where we have not a
consciousness of right
a sense of Divine favour
a hope of a bright future
and the pulsation of holy loves. Observe--
2. That the longer it continues the greater becomes his
responsibility.
II. Such a life is
not desirable on account of others.
1. It renders no real good to others.
2. It produces incalculable mischief. In the spiritual
as in the
material
like begets like. “One sinner destroyeth much good.” (Homilist.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》