Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Jehoshaphat had died and been buried in the city of David. His son Jehoram took over as king.

He had several brothers who were sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah. Their father had given them great gifts of silver, gold, and precious things, along with fortified cities in Judah. However, he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.

As soon as Jehoram rose to power over his father's kingdom, he solidified his position by executing all his brothers with the sword, as well as many princes of Israel. He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign and ruled for eight years in Jerusalem.

Jehoram followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel, just like Ahab's family, because he had married Ahab's daughter and done evil in the sight of the Lord. Although God would not destroy the house of David due to the covenant He made with David and His promise to give a light to him and his sons forever, Jehoram's actions were far from pleasing.

During Jehoram's reign, the Edomites rebelled against Judah and chose their own king. In response, Jehoram led his princes and chariots in a nighttime attack on the Edomites who had surrounded him and their chariot commanders. However, despite this brief victory, the Edomites continued to defy Judah's authority.

Libnah also revolted at that time because Jehoram had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers. He set up high places in the mountains of Judah and led the people of Jerusalem into immorality, forcing Judah to follow suit.

Elijah the prophet sent a message to Jehoram, saying, "The Lord God of David your father is speaking: Because you haven't followed the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or King Asa of Judah, but instead walked in the path of the kings of Israel like Ahab's family and led Judah and Jerusalem astray.

"You have also killed your brothers from your father's household who were better than you. The Lord will bring a severe plague upon your people, including your children, wives, and possessions.

"You will suffer greatly with an incurable disease in your bowels until they fall out day by day because of the sickness."

The Lord stirred up the Philistines, Arabians near the Ethiopians, to rise against Jehoram. They invaded Judah, plundered the king's house, taking everything, including his sons and wives.

The Lord struck Jehoram with an incurable disease in his bowels. Two years into his suffering, Jehoram's condition worsened, and he died from severe diseases. Unlike his fathers, no funeral pyre was lit for him, and he was buried in the city of David among common tombs, not with the kings. He was thirty-two when he began to reign and ruled Jerusalem for eight years before departing without mourning.