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Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than your burnt offerings.
Bible Chapter Studies
1A0II CHRONICLES CHAPTER 21
Welcome to the the beginning years of eigtht centuryB.C., where we find the Nation of the House of Israel divided into two separate Nations: The House of Israel consisting of ten Tribes—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim and Manasseh—and occupied the Northern territories; and the House of Judah which comprises two Tribes—Judah and Benjamin—and occupying the southern territories. At present, the House of Israel has as it’s king, king Ahaziah, the son of Ahab; and the House of Judah has as it’s king, king Jehoshaphat, however, he dies in the very first verse. His son Jehoram will then rule for 8 years and he too will die and return Home to Father in this Chapter. The Chapter will close with Jehoahaz the grand-son of Jehoshaphat being ascended to the throne. As we are reading in the The Books of the Chronicles, we are reading things in the Esoteric, meaning, we are reading things from Father’s point of view or perspective, or in other words, events viewed from the Divine standpoint, and as seen and understood by the spiritual mind, to take that further, you could say, from the moral aspect, and you could go even further and say, for those with the “eyes to see.” The reason Father split the Nation into two separate Nations was because of the actions of Israel’s third man-king, David’s son, Solomon—as can be read in I Kings 11:1-11—taking unto himself many foreign wives, served their false gods and idols, built altars for those false gods and idols on Father’s Holy mountain, turned his back on Father, which angered Father and caused Father to tell him that He was splitting the Nation into two separate Nations, but not until Solomon returned Home to Him and his son Rehoboam took over the reign and rule of the Nation.
II Chronicles 20 opened with the Ammonites, the Edomites and the Moabites preparing to invade Jehoshaphat and the House of Judah. Jehoshaphat did correctly by gathering all the People of Judah to him in Jerusalem, for calling a fast, and seeking Father through Prayer and song. Father, pleased with Jehoshaphat and the People’s actions, told them to go to the wilderness of Jeruel so that they could witness what He was about to bring upon the Ammonites, the Edomites and the Moabites, as, the battle was not theirs, but His. Father caused the Ammonites and the Moabites to utterly slay and destroy the Edomites, and once they were finished doing so, they turned on each other and slew every man till there were none left. Once every one of the Ammonites, the Edomites and the Moabites were dead, the People of the House of Judah were able to recover very much booty and spoil. The Chapter closed by chronicling Jehoshaphat’s reign and rule over the Nation, and we read that he was a good king who never served or worshipped false gods or idols, however, he had made several errors during his reign and rule: he joined alliance and affinity with the House of Israel’s worst king: king Ahab, and then an alliance with his son Ahaziah. His affinity with Ahab meant that he married his son to Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter: Athaliah, which sadly, will in the future, cause the streets of Judah to run red with blood, and in his alliance with Ahaziah, the two had planned to send ships to Tarshish to get gold, however, Father sent one of His Prophets, Eliezer, to tell him, that because of his alliance with Ahaziah, Father broke all his ships which he was building in Ezion-geber.
With that introduction being said, let’s go to Father and ask Him for His Blessings on our Study of His Word: “ Father, I come to You right now and ask that You Oh LORD Lead me and Guide me as I try and teach Your Word, don’t allow me to mis-teach or mis-lead Your Children. We, Father, also come to You as a group who desire to Learn Your Word, to thank You for inviting us to Your table in order that we might be able to partake of and receive Your Spiritual Meat, and Father, as we prepare to dine on the sustenance which sustains our inner man, we ask that You Oh LORD open our ears and eyes, that we might be able to hear and see your Truths, open our hearts and minds and prepare us in order that we may receive Your Truth. We Pray for Your Understanding of Your Word, we seek Your Knowledge in Your Word, and most importantly Father, we Pray for and desire Your Wisdom from Your Word, in Jesus’ Precious name we Pray, thank You Father, Amen.”
I Chronicles 10:1-II Chronicles 36:21
HISTORY (UP TO THE CAPTIVITY.)
(Division.)
11:1-II Chronicles 36:21 THE HOUSE
of DAVID. ESTABLISHED. (Division.)
17:1-21:1 JEHOSHAPHAT. (Extended and
Simple Alternations, with Introversion.)
21:1 Jehoshaphat. Death.
21:1-20 JEHORAM. (Introversion.)
21:1 Jehoram reigns in Judah.
21:1-5 Introduction.
1A1
II Chronicles 21:1 Now Jehoshaphat (YHVH-Judged; or, whom YHVH judges) (yeh-ho-shaw-fawtי) slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David (loving; and, well-beloved) (Daw-veedי).
And Jehoram ( YHVH raised; and, whom YHVH has exalted) (yeh-ho-rawmי) his son reigned in his stead. —> Jehoshaphat has now passed and is returned Home to Father. All-in-all, he was a Good king having only ever Loved, Honored, Served and Worshipped Father YHVH. He did many good things during his reign and rule over the Nation of the House of Judah. He destroyed the high places where the People had served and worshipped false gods and idols; he destroyed the asherah groves where they held their sexual orgies; he displayed on numerous occasions that he was very familiar with Father’s Law and events which had transpired prior to his birth; and he sent the princes, the Levites and the Priests throughout all the land to teach the People Father’s Word from His Word, causing the People to draw closer to Father. Did he fall short and sin? Yes he did, he was in the flesh and like all men who walked or walk in the flesh—except our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—he fell short. The People loved their king and they buried him alongside all the other good kings, in the City of David; the city named after his great, great, great grand-father.
We now begin the reign and rule of the Nation of the House of Judah’s 5th man king. How will Jehoram measure up? Let’s continue reading and find out. But, I can say this up front, remember what his father had done, i.e., he made that affinity with Ahab, meaning, it is this Jehoram who is married to Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter: Athaliah; so that should give you some clue as to how he’ll measure up.
Jehoshaphat=For a detailed description of Jehoshaphat, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
David=For a detailed description of David, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Jehoram
Jehoram=Jehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat and the 5th king of the Nation of the House of Judah. His wife was Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. He was 32 years old when he began his reign and rule over the Nation and he only reigned for 8 years—796-788B.C.—dying at the age of only 40 years old. He was an evil king—which is such a shame, as his name means: YHVH-raised, and whom YHVH has exalted—following in the footsteps of his in-laws and his wife, whereby he rebuked Father YHVH to serve and worship false gods and idols; and he murdered every one of his brothers, as well as some of the local leaders. He then caused the perpetual revolt of Edom and Libnah, and built centers of worship for his false gods and idols. The Philistines and Arabs then plundered his house and abducted his wives and sons, and then a writing from Father’s Prophet Elijah the Tishbite arrived foretelling his death by disease in his bowels brought about by Father YHVH because of his actions. Two years later he died in horrible agony, and no one mourned for him. † For the etymology of the name Jehoram, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Jehoram consists of two elements, the first one being יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHVH. The second part of the name Jehoram comes from the verb רום (rum), meaning to be high or lofty: For a meaning of the name Jehoram, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Is High. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names proposes The Lord Exalts and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary suggests Yah Is Exalted.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3088, - יְהוֹרָם, - Yehôrâm, pronounced - yeh-ho-rawmי, and means: From H3068 and H7311; YHVH-raised; Jehoram, the name of a Syrian and of three Israelites: - Jehoram, Joram. Compare H3141. Total KJV occurrences: 29.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Whom YHVH has exalted. Eldest son of Jehoshaphat, succeeded his father on the throne of Judah at the age of 32, and reigned eight years. As soon as he was fixed on the throne, he put his six brothers to death, with many of the chief nobles of the land. He then, probably at the instance of his wife Athaliah the daughter of Ahab, proceeded to establish the worship of Baal. A prophetic writing from the aged prophet Elijah, II Chronicles 21:12, failed to produce any good effect upon him. The remainder of his reign was a series of calamities. First the Edomites, who had been tributary to Jehoshaphat, revolted from his dominion and established their permanent independence. Next Libnah, II Kings 19:8, rebelled against him. Then followed invasion by armed bands of Philistines and of Arabians, who stormed the king’s palace, put his wives and all his children, except his youngest son Ahaziah, to death, II Chronicles 22:1, or carried them into captivity, and plundered all his treasures. He died of a terrible disease II Chronicles 21:19,20.”.
1A2
II Chronicles 21:2 And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah (YAH has helped; and, whom YHVH helps) (az-ar-yawי-hoo), and Jehiel (from H2421 and H410; YAH will live; and, EL lives) (yekh-av-aleי), and Zechariah (YAH has remembered; and, YHVH is renowned or remembered) (zek-ar-yawי-hoo), and Azariah, and Michael (who (is) like YAH; and, who is like YAH) (me-kaw-aleי-hoo), and Shephatiah (YAH has judged; and, judged by YHVH) (shef-at-yawי-hoo): all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel (he will rule as YAH; or, the prince that prevails with YAH) (Yis-raw-aleי) (secondary map). —> The only reason we are learning of these sons of Jehoshaphat, brother of Jehoram, is because of what their older brother is about to do to them.
…king of Israel=As we know brethren, Jehoshaphat was not the king of Israel, he was the king of the House of Judah. The reason for the error, is because the 1611 king James translator who was transcribing this from the Codex, mistranslated the abbreviation י (i or y), which was read for both “Israel” and “Judah.” Something else to also consider though brethren, is the fact that, Father may have had His influence on the writer; I say this because, it could be, that Father thought Jehoshaphat and the kings of Judah the only true kings within the borders of the Promised Land, in other words: Israel.
Azariah
Azariah=Why Jehoshaphat named two of his sons Azariah is unknown. In either case, after their father died and returned Home to Father, they were both murdered, along with all their other brothers, by their eldest brother Jehoram. We know nothing of these two brothers, except what we read in II Chronicles 21:3, where we read that they were given “great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah:” by their father Jehoshaphat, which tells us that they we both of age when they were murdered by their brother. † For the etymology of the name Azariah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Azariah or Azariahu consists of two elements. The first part comes from the verb עזר (azar), meaning to help or support: The final bit of the name Azariah is formed from the appellative יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHVH or Yahveh. The name Azariah means Helped Of God (Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names), or Yahveh Has Helped (New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List, Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary), or more commonly The Lord Has Helped (Harris Archer Waltke (HAW) Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament).”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H5838, - עֲזַרְיָה, ssעֲזַרְיָהוּ, - ‛ăzaryâh, or ‛ăzaryâhû, pronounced - az-ar-yawי or az-ar-yawי-hoo, and means: From H5826 and H3050; YAH has helped; Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites: - Azariah. Total KJV occurrences: 48.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Whom YHVH helps. The name of two sons of Jehoshaphat II Chronicles 21:2.”.
Jehiel
Jehiel=Jehiel was a son of Jehoshaphat. After his father died and returned Home to Father, he was murdered, along with all his other brothers, by their eldest brother Jehoram. We know nothing of Jehiel, except what we read in II Chronicles 21:3, where we read that he and his brothers were given “great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah:” by their father Jehoshaphat, which tells us that he and his brothers were all of age when they were murdered by their brother. † For the etymology of the name Jehiel, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Jehiel consists of two parts. The first part comes from the verb חיה (haya), meaning to live: The letter yod with which the name begins may be seen as an activation of the verb: he lives or will live. The second part of our name comes from אל (El), the common abbreviation of Elohim: For a meaning of the name Jehiel, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads God Lives. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names renders the slightly more proper He Lives Of God, and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary suggests May El Live. Jones relates the name Jehiel to the name Eve, but here at Abarim Publications we dispute this. See our article on that name..”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3171, - יְחִיאֵל, ssיְחַוְאֵל, - yechı̂y'êl, or yechav'êl, pronounced - yekh-ee-aleי or yekh-av-aleי, and means: From H2421 and H410; YAH will live; Jechiel (or Jechavel), the name of eight Israelites: - Jehiel. Total KJV occurrences: 14.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “YAH lives. One of the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, put to death by his brother Jehoram II Chronicles 21:2, 4.”.
Zechariah
Zechariah=Zechariah was a son of Jehoshaphat. After his father died and returned Home to Father, he was murdered, along with all his other brothers, by their eldest brother Jehoram. We know nothing else of Zechariah, except what we read in II Chronicles 21:3, where we read that he and his brothers were given “great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah:” by their father Jehoshaphat, which tells us that he and his brothers were all of age when they were murdered by their brother. † For the etymology of the name Zechariah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Zechariah consists of two parts. The final bit is יה, the abbreviated form of the Name of the Lord: יהוה (YHVH). The first segment of the name Zechariah comes from the verb זכר (zakar), meaning to think about or meditate upon: The name Zechariah literally means Yah Remembers or Remembrance of Yah or even Pondering Yahveh. For a meaning of the name Zechariah, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Remembers and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Remembered Of The Lord. But following zakar’s meaning of male, we find for the name Zechariah a secondary meaning of Yah’s Male. And that isn’t all that weird considering that the name of the archangel Gabriel means God’s Guy.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H2148, - זְכַרְיָה,ss or זְכַרְיָהוּ, - zekaryâh or zekaryâhû, pronounced - zek-ar-yawי or zek-ar-yawי-hoo, and means: From H2142 and H3050; YAH has remembered; Zecarjah, the name of twenty nine Israelites: - Zachariah, Zechariah. Total KJV occurrenes: 43.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “YAH is renowned or YAH is remembered. One of the sons of Jehoshaphat (II Chronicles 21:2).”.
Michael
Michael=Michael was a son of Jehoshaphat. After his father died and returned Home to Father, he was murdered, along with all his other brothers, by their eldest brother Jehoram. We know nothing else of Michael, except what we read in II Chronicles 21:3, where we read that he and his brothers were given “great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah:” by their father Jehoshaphat, which tells us that he and his brothers were all of age when they were murdered by their brother. † For the etymology of the name Michael, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Michael consists of three parts: 1) מי (mi), the common inquisitive particle that seeks after identity, who?: 2) כ (ke), a common particle of comparison: like, as: 3) אל (El), the shorter version of Elohim, meaning God: The name Michael is commonly translated with Who Is Like God?, but, more accurately, the name denotes an inquiry after the identity of God: Who’s God? or What’s God Like? As captain of the heavenly armies and expeller of satan, Michael’s main mission is perhaps to inspire humans into seeking the identity of God: For a meaning of the name Michael, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Who Is Like God? Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads a peculiar Who Is Like Unto God?.” † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H4317, - מִיכָאֵל, - mı̂ykâ'êl, pronounced - me-kaw-aleי, and means: From H4310 and (the prefixed derivation from) H3588 and H410; who (is) like YAH?; Mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine Israelites: - Michael. Total KJV occurrences: 13.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Who is like YAH?. One of the sons of Jehoshaphat who were murdered by their elder brother, Jehoram II Chronicles 21:2, 4..”.
Shephatiah
Shephatiah=Shephatiah was a son of Jehoshaphat. After his father died and returned Home to Father, he was murdered, along with all his other brothers, by their eldest brother Jehoram. We know nothing else of Shephatiah, except what we read in II Chronicles 21:3, where we read that he and his brothers were given “great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah:” by their father Jehoshaphat, which tells us that he and his brothers were all of age when they were murdered by their brother. † For the etymology of the name Shephatiah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Shephatiah consists of two elements, the final one being יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH, or Yahveh. The first part of our name comes from the verb שפט (shapat) meaning to judge or govern: For a meaning of the name Shephatiah, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Judges. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Judge Of The Lord. And Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary proposes YHVH Hath Judged, Vindicated.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H8203, - שְׁפַטְיָה, ssשְׁפַטְיָהוּ, shephaṭyâh, or shephaṭyâhû, pronounced - shef-at-yawי or shef-at-yawי-hoo, and means: From H8199 and H3050; YAH has judged; Shephatjah, the name of ten Israelites: - Shephatiah. Total KJV occurrences: 13.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Judged by YHVH. Son of Jehoshaphat II Chronicles 21:2.”.
Israel=For a detailed description of Israel, including his birth, his and the Nation’s history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A3
II Chronicles 21:3 And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah (celebrated; and, praised, celebrated) (yeh-hoo-dawי): but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn. —> So, what this tells us is that, every one of these sons of Jehoshaphat came of age before he returned Home to Father. He gave each of them a city, and made each of them prince of that city. Plus, he gave them gold, silver, and precious gems and jewels. All these things were payment so that they wouldn’t complain that he gave the kingdom to their eldest brother Jehoram, his first-born. Really, there should have been no complaining, as, his receiving the kingdom as first-born, was a natural progression of things, and this was how Father deemed things be, the first-born receives the first-fruits.
Judah=For a detailed description of Judah, including the Tribes history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A4
II Chronicles 21:4 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. —> So, pretty soon after Jehoshaphat died and returned Home to Father and Jehoram completely took over the reign and rule of the Nation, one of his first acts, is to murder all his younger brothers; and he doesn’t stop with just them brethren, no, he goes on and murders some of the other princes along with some of the other heads of state and other dignitaries as well. How and why would he do such evil? This is the result of his father and the affinity which he had made with Ahab. Now comes to pass, the beginning of the phrase and statement: “the streets of Jerusalem will run red with blood.”
There is much speculation and debate among the many different Biblical “scholars” as to the “why” Jehoram murdered his own brothers and the others. Some say that it was because he feared one of them may make a move to dethrone him, as one of them may have had aspirations on being king. Some say that it was because he wanted the gold, silver and precious gems and jewels his brothers were given by their father Jehoshaphat. This author and writer of this Study doesn’t accept either of those explanations, this author believes it was because his brothers, the heads of state and other dignitaries were all speaking out against Jehoram’s political and religious ideologies and practices. Why do I say this and why do I believe my thought process is the correct one? Because of who Jehoram is married to. Remember brethren, Jehoram is married to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. They were all baal worshippers, and Jehoram didn’t marry Athaliah once he ascended the throne, no, he has been married to her for several years before ascending the throne; and I’m sure he has already fallen in with worshipping baal right along with them and he was trying to lead the Nation of the House of Judah to be worshippers of baal as well. Remember also, his father Jehoshaphat served and worshipped Father YHVH only, and I’m quite certain that Jehoram’s brothers and the heads of state and other dignitaries followed after Jehoshaphat and served Father YHVH and were speaking out against Jehoram and trying to keep the ship on the true course so to speak. We’ll see that I’m correct when we get to verse v21:11 below; for there, we’ll read that he’ll re-establish the illegal worship in the high places, and compel all the People of Judah to sin by participating in his illegal worship services.
1A5
II Chronicles 21:5 Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem (founded peaceful; or, the habitation of peace) (Yer-oo-shaw-lahי-im). —> Jehoram was 32 years old when he took over the reigns of the Nation of the House of Judah from his father Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was still alive for 2 years as Jehoram reigned and ruled, and then Jehoram reigned for 6 years after Jehoshaphat died and returned Home to Father. I’m pretty certain that the People of the House of Judah thought 6 years under his garbage of illegal worship was plenty long enough. But, do you think the evilness will end after he dies and returns Home to Father? Having the advantage of living in the year 2021A.D. and being able to read Father’s Word and what has been chronicled, sadly, I can tell you, that no, the evilness did not end when he died; his wife Athaliah will commit more evilness than her husband ever committed.
21:6 Events, personal.
1A6
II Chronicles 21:6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab (brother (that is, friend) of (his) father; or, uncle) (akh-awbי): for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. —> Ahab was an evil and vile king, probably the worst of all the kings of the House of Israel. He was also a very weak man, succumbing to the even more wickedness of his wife Jezebel; who he let run roughshod over himself and all the People of Israel.
…the daughter of Ahab…=We don’t actually get introduced to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah until our next Chapter; but, I like Dr. Bullinger’s comments which he made in his Companion Bible Appendix 55, concerning her, which reads: “Athaliah was thus the granddaughter of Omri—(my note here, Omri was Ahab’s father)—king of Israel (II Chronicles 22:20), and daughter of Jezebel. The marriage between Jehoram and Athaliah was part of Satan’s design to introduce idolatry into Judah, so that Athaliah might do for Judah what her mother Jezebel had done for Israel, and thus secure the same result. Jehoshaphat began by strengthening himself against Israel (II Chronicles 17:1), but married his son to the daughter (an idolatress) of Ahab, the worst of Israel’s kings. The leaven worked, morally and politically; and was then used by Satan for the destruction of the line by which “the seed of the woman” was to come into the world. See Ap:23 and 25. Jehoram, king of Judah, began by killing off all his brethren (II Chronicles. 21:4). The Arabians came and slew all his sons, save the youngest, Ahaziah (II Chronicles 22:1), called also Joash, Jehoahaz (II Chronicles 21:17), and Azariah (II Chronicles 22:6). Athaliah slew all the sons of Ahaziah on his death (II Kings 11:1; II Chronicles 22:10), or thought she did; but the infant Joash was rescued. Joash (called also Jehoash) was hid for six years, while the faithfulness of Yehovah’s word hung upon the Divine preservation of that infant’s life. Hence Jehoiada’s text (II Chronicles 23:3). See, on the whole subject, Ap. 23. And, note the parallel in the history of England, by James I marrying his son Charles to (an idolatress) Henrietta of France, with similar political results.”.
Ahab=For a detailed description of Ahab, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Athaliah
Athaliah=Athaliah, an EVIL, ugly, vile and murderess woman. She was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. We don’t know what year she was born or how old she was when her father made that infamous affinity with king Jehoshaphat of the House of Judah, whereby Ahab married her to Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram; but, suffice it to say, that this marriage was not a “marriage made in heaven,” so to speak. It was through this arranged marriage that the “streets of Jerusalem ‘ran red with blood’.” Because of Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel—who was the daughter of a man named Eth-baal, king of Tyre and priest of the false god baal, and raised a worshipper of baal—Athaliah was raised a worshipper of baal. Jehoram and Athaliah also raised their son Ahaziah—6th man-king of the House of Judah—to also be a worshipper of baal. Upon taking over the throne from his father Jehoram, Ahaziah murdered all his brothers and then also proceeded with murdering the heads of state and dignitaries as well—thus bringing to pass, part of the saying “the streets of Jerusalem ‘ran red with blood’x”. Because of these actions—i.e., the murdering of his brothers and the heads of state and other dignitaries—along with forsaking Father, serving baal, removing the Dedicated Things and treasuries from Father’s Temple and then shutting the doors of Father’s Temple, and forbidding the the People from worshipping Father YHVH, Father sent a man named Jehu to slay him. After his death, his mother Athaliah rose up and murdered all her own grand-children—completing the saying “the streets of Jerusalem ‘ran red with blood’x”. Athaliah however, missed one grand-son, a boy named Joash whom the High Priest had hidden away. Athaliah appointed herself queen of the House of Judah and reigned and ruled the Nation for six years until Jehoiada the High Priest, the Priests, the Levites, and Captains and Guards armed with weapons brought seven year old Joash into Father’s Temple, anointed him, crowned and dedicated him, and declared him—with a very loud commotion—king of the House of Judah. When Athaliah heard the loud commotion, she came into Father’s Temple to find out what all the commotion was about and was shocked to see Joash crowned king and she cried “treason, treason.” In reality, it was she who was treasonous and a murderer, wherefore, Jehoiada had the Captains and the Guards carry her out of Father’s Temple and put her to death. —— I must add in this caveat: by her murdering all the seed Royal, Athaliah was an unknowing, but very active and willing participant in satan’s plan to destroy Father’s plan of becoming flesh as His only Begotten Son: Jesus Christ —— † For the etymology of the name Athaliah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “This lady’s name is spelled עתליה (Athaliah) in II Chronicles but in II Kings it is written as עתליהו (Athaliahu), which is essentially the same name. The name Athaliah consists of two elements. The final part of the name is the appellative יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHVH or Yahveh. About the first part of the name Athaliah the sources are in disagreement, and that’s because the section עתל ss(יtl) doesn’t occur in the Hebrew Bible: Alfred Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names goes with the Arabic root meaning to handle violently, and reads Taken Away Of The Lord. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary doesn’t offer a translation of the name Athaliah but points it toward the Assyrian verb that means to grow great. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List agrees with BDB and reads Yahveh Is Exalted.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H6271, - עֲתַלְיָה,ss or עֲתַלְיָהוּ, - ‛ăthalyâh, or ‛ăthalyâhû, pronounced - ath-al-yawי or ath-al-yaw'-hooי, and means: From H6270 and H3050; YAH has constrained; Athaljah, the name of an Israelitess and two Israelites: - Athaliah. Total KJV occurrences: 17.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Afflicted of YHVH. Daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, married Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and introduced into that kingdom the worship of Baal. After the great revolution by which Jehu seated himself on the throne of Samaria, she killed all the members of the royal family of Judah who had escaped his sword II Kings 11:1. From the slaughter one infant, named Joash, the youngest son of Ahaziah, was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada, II Chronicles 23:11, the high priest II Chronicles 24:6. The child was brought up under Jehoiada’s care, and concealed in the temple for six years, during which period Athaliah reigned over Judah. At length Jehoiada thought it time to produce the lawful king to the people, trusting to their zeal for the worship of God and their loyalty to the house of David. His plan was successful, and Athaliah was put to death.”.
21:7 Events, personal.
1A7
II Chronicles 21:7 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and as He promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever. —> Even though the two Nations are basically ruled by Ahab’s family at this time, Judah will continue to remain a separate Nation from the rest of the tribes. This happens because Father promised that it would. He Promised that He would come in the flesh, and that He would be the Light from the lineage of the kings of Judah. Jesus Christ would be that lamp and light to the world.
…He promised him to give him alway a light…=Though spoken and prophesied by Father over 500 years earlier, David had become “The Light,” symbolic of Israel’s Deliverance. Genesis 15:17 points directly to David in II Samuel 21:17; and I Kings 11:36, as we read in I Kings 15:4; and we can also read in Isaiah 62:1. First we’ll review: I Kings 15:4-5: I Kings 15:4 Nevertheless for David’s sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: [15:5] Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that He commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite., and now Isaiah 62:1: Isaiah 62:1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.. We can also look to the New Testament in John 8:12: John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” —> …He that followeth me…shall have the light of life…=This is The Divine Purpose, that we all have eternal life with our Father; sadly, however, we know that this isn’t going to happen, as if none else, the 7,000 fallen angels go into the Lake of Fire on the first day of the Millennium, and satan also on the last day of the Millennium during the Great White Throne Judgment; then, satan will and all those who follow him will also be cast into the Lake of Fire. What a sad thing for Father to know, that He’ll have to destroy some of His Children, He’ll have to live with that memory forever; but, we who have eternal life with Him, will not remember those who were cast into the Lake of Fire.
21:8-19 Events, public.
21:8-19 EVENTS, PUBLIC. (Alternation.)
21:8-10 Revolts, Edom and Libnah.
1A8
II Chronicles 21:8 In his days the Edomites (red; and, red) (ed-omeי) revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king. —> There is quite a bit to unpackage here brethren. So, let’s take it slow and do so. We just read in our last Chapter—II Chronicles 20:23—that Father, through the Ammonites and the Moabites destroyed the Edomite army, then they turned on each other and destroyed each other. So, this tells us that not all the People of Edom had been destroyed. We also read in I Kings 22:47, that the Edomites had no king, they only had a vassal deputy over them—a person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a lord or other superior—that vassal deputy was subject to the king of the House of Judah, who at present of course, is Jehoram. But, now, we’re reading that they have decided they no longer want to be vassal to Judah; and feeling that Jehoram might be somewhat weak, they’re displaying some backbone and standing up to him. This also is somewhat fulfilling prophesy from Father and what He said to Esau through his father Isaac in Genesis 27:40, which reads: Genesis 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.” —> Looks to me like Esau is about to cast his brother’s yoke from off his neck.
Edomites
Edom=The name Edom sprang from Isaac and Rebekah’s first born: Esau. The first time he was called Edom was in Genesis 25:30 which reads: Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint:” therefore was his name called Edom.. We can pretty much assume it was Father Who gave Esau the nick-name Edom because, Father’s Word does not say that either his brother Jacob, nor his parents Isaac and Rebekah gave him that name. The name Edom means: Red, rosy or ruddy and this also stems from his birth and his name Esau as, as we read in Genesis 25:25 which reads: Genesis 25:25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. —> Though the name Esau means: “handling, rough (that is, sensibly felt; or, hairy” because Esau was born extremely hairy, Father’s Word also declares that he was red. Red is our clue as, we are in the final generation of this Age of flesh, and as such, there is a country we must keep our eye on, that country is the red country or nation: Russia. Why are we to keep our eye on them? Because Father told us to, again, it was while Rebekah was pregnant with Esau and Jacob and she was receiving much stress and duress during her pregnancy, so she sought Father as to why. Genesis 25:22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it be so, why am I thus?” And she went to enquire of the LORD. [25:23] And the LORD said unto her, “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” —> The two nations are Israel—Jacob—and his older brother Esau—Russia—Rosh—Edom. As we close in on the entering into the final times of this Age, we also close in on the so-called peace of the “New World Order,” and Russia will again turn against the Christian nations—Jacob—and that is how we close out this current generation, and earth Age of the flesh. Russia is like a jackal, and cannot be trusted, and those who trust Russia—the government, not the people—in any form are fools. We are not to bother with Russia as, Father Himself will take care of them as we close out this Age as we read in Ezekiel 38; 39. † For the etymology of the name Edom, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “In the famous soup-scene where Esau receives his nickname Edom, the author seems to engage in word play. The word for soup (נזיד, nazid) comes from the verb זיד/זוד (zid/zud), meaning ‘to boil’ in the literal sense, but figuratively to act proudly or presumptuously. This verb is used in the sense of boiling only once, in our soup-scene. All other occurrences of this verb have to do with arrogance or otherwise aggressive attitudes. It stands to reason that a Hebrew audience understood the aggression to be the literal meaning of this verb, and the meaning of to boil the figurative charge. When Esau walks in, tired from the field, he demands that Jacob gives him of “that red stuff.” The word for “red stuff” is אדם (adom); a word highly similar to the name Edom. The identical root אדם ss(יdm) is the source for the name Adam. Another derivation is אדמה (adama), meaning field. Esau is a ‘man of the field’ and even though the word adama is not used but rather שדה (sadeh), also meaning field, the association is clear: Jacob gives Esau of the red stuff and wings him out of his birth-right. At least, that what he hopes. But just to be sure, he tries to deceive his blind father by dressing up as Esau. Not very clever, especially since the bigger blessing was his already, and Isaac bestowed it on Jacob out of faith, and not because he was tricked Hebrews 11:20. The name Edom means Red or Ruddy.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H123, - אֱדֹם or אֱדוֹם, - 'ĕdôm or 'ĕ?dôm, pronounced - ed-omeי or ed-omeי, and means: From H122; red; (see Genesis 25:25); Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occuped by him: - Edom, Edomites, Idumea. Total KJV occurrences: 100.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “(red). The name Edom was given to Esau, the first-born son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, when he sold his birthright to the latter for a meal of lentil pottage. The country which the Lord subsequently gave to Esau was hence called “the country of Edom” Genesis 32:3, and his descendants were called Edomites. Edom was called Mount Seir and Idumea also. Edom was wholly a mountainous country. It embraced the narrow mountainous tract (about 100 miles long by 20 broad) extending along the eastern side of the Arabah from the northern end of the Gulf of Elath to near the southern end of the Dead Sea. The ancient capital of Edom was Bozrah (Buseireh). Sela (Petra) appears to have been the principal stronghold in the days of Amaziah II Kings 14:7. Elath and Ezion-geber were the seaports II Samuel 8:14; I Kings 9:26. History. — Esau’s bitter hatred to his brother Jacob for fraudulently (I disagree with Dr. Smith that Jacob “fraudulently” obtained Esau’s Blessing as, this was prophesied by Father to their mother Rebekah while they were still in her womb) obtaining his blessing appears to have been inherited by his latest posterity. The Edomites peremptorily refused to permit the Israelites to pass through their land Numbers 20:18-21. For a period of 400 years we hear no more of the Edomites. They were then attacked and defeated by Saul I Samuel 14:47, and some forty years later by David II Samuel 8:13,14. In the reign of Jehoshaphat the Edomites attempted to invade Israel, but failed II Chronicles 20:22. They joined Nebuchadnezzar when that king besieged Jerusalem. For their cruelty at this time they were fearfully denounced by the later prophets Isaiah 35:5-8; 63:1-4; Jeremiah 49:17. After this they settled in southern Palestine, and for more than four centuries continued to prosper. But during the warlike rule of the Maccabees they were again completely subdued, and even forced to conform to Jewish laws and rites, and submit to the government of Jewish prefects. The Edomites were now incorporated with the Jewish nation. They were idolaters II Chronicles 25:14,15,20. Their habits were singular. The Horites, their predecessors in Mount Seir, were, as their name implies, troglodytes, or dwellers in caves; and the Edomites seem to have adopted their dwellings as well as their country. Everywhere we meet with caves and grottos hewn in the soft sandstone strata.”.
1A9
II Chronicles 21:9 Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots. —> Read this verse a second time brethren, as this verse almost makes it sound as though Jehoram put a major butt-whooping on the Edomites for their trying to rebell; however, that isn’t what happened at all. Yes, Jehoram did go with some of his chariots, and we read in II Kings 18:21, that he went to Zair—this location was probably Zoar, which was located at the south end of the Dead Sea, a logical place where Judah would engege the Edomites and make war against them—to battle against the Edomites; however, the Edomites had Jehoram and his chariots surrounded and were about to put a serious whooping on him, until Jehoram found the weakest part of the Edomites ambushment, fought his way through, and high-tailed it as fast as he could all the way back to Jerusalem. This is backed up and supported by reading the next verse.
For Edomites part, the prophesy of Genesis 27:40 has just been fulfilled. That yoke Jacob had on Esau, has now been cast off, and Edom is once again an independent nation with their own king.
1A10
II Chronicles 21:10 So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah (some sort of whitish tree; and, whitness) (lib-nawי) revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers. —> The Edomites continued their rebellion, and at the same time that they were rebelling, the Priests of Libnah also stood up and began a rebellion because of his unrighteous, evil ways and worship practices.
Libnah was a Levitical Priest city, which was also one of the Cities of Refuge dating all the way back to the time of Joshua as can be read in Joshua 21:13. We will read when we come to II Chronicles 24:4,7; that, sometime during his reign, Jehoram, his wife Athaliah and their sons had gone over to and “broke up” the Temple of Father YHVH, thus putting a stop to the worship of Father, they also removed all the “dedicated things” from Father’s Temple in order to take those dedicated things and place them in the house of baal. We further read by turning back a Chapter, to II Chronicles 23:1, that because of these actions by Jehoram and Athaliah, the Levitical Priests headed by Jehoiada the Chief Priest, led a rebellion, the same of which we’re reading of here in this chapter and verse, and had read when we read II Kings 8:22. This revolt is just the start of the rebellion and it’ll last until Athaliah—who’ll take the throne after her and Jehoram’s son Ahaziah is killed—is killed for her slaying all the seed royal, at which time young king Joash and Jehoiada the Priests rebuild Father’s Temple and re-establish the worship of Father YHVH.
Libnah
Libnah=Libnah was captured by Joshua and our forefathers in Joshua 10:29-32. We read in Joshua 15:42 that the city was allotted to the Tribe of Judah as an inheritance; but, then we read in Joshua 21:13, that the city and her suburbs were given to the Levitical Priests for a sanctuary city. The Levitical Priests lived in and maintained the city and her suburbs up until the time of the House of Judah’s 5th man-king, king Jehoram, when his wife Athaliah and their sons went to Father’s Temple, broke it up and removed all the Dedicated Things so they could put them in the temple of baal as can be read in II Chronicles 24:7. We further read by turning back a Chapter, to II Chronicles 23:1, that because of these actions by Jehoram, Athaliah and their sons, the Levitical Priests headed by Jehoiada the Chief Priest, led a rebellion, the same of which we read of in II Kings 8:22 and II Chronicles 21:10. Libnah was famous for another reason as well, as it from Libnah a man named Jeremiah hailed from and he had a daughter who married king Josiah, and together they bare both kings Jehoahaz and Zedekiah. † For the etymology of the name Libnah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Libnah comes from the verb לבן (laben), meaning to be or become white: For a meaning of the name Libnah, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Whiteness. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Whiteness as well but adds Transparency, which appears a bit amiss. There is no evidence that the verb לבן was used to indicate transparency. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary doesn’t interpret our name but does list it under the verb לבן (laben).”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3841, - לִבְנָה, - libnâh, pronounced - lib-nawי, and means: From H3839; some sort of whitish tree; Libnah, a place in the Desert and one in Palestine: - Libnah. Total KJV occurrences: 18.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Whitness. A royal city of the Canaanites which lay in the southwest part of the Holy Land, taken by Joshua immediately after the rout of Beth-horon. It was near Lachish,Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto. west of Makkedah. It was appropriated with its “suburbs” to the priests Joshua 21:13; I Chronicles 6:57. In the reign of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat it “revolted” from Judah at the same time with Edom II Kings 8:22; II Chronicles 21:10. Probably the modern Ayak el-Menshiyeh.”.
21:11-15 Judgments, prophesied.
1A11
II Chronicles 21:11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto. —> So, after both his father Jehoshaphat and his grand-father Asa had removed the high places and destroyed the asherah groves, because of his marriage to Athaliah, Jehoram re-established both in the territories of Judah and he forced the People of the House of Judah to go up to these groves and participate in his illegal orgy worship services.
…fornication…=This was both physically and Spiritually brethren. Physically in that he restarted the sexual orgies in the asherah groves. This means, that these sexual orgies were actual worship services to baal, and by doing so, he forced some the People into sodomy, Hebrew word number: H6945, - קָדֵשׁ, - qâdêsh, pronounced - kaw-dasheי, and means: From H6942; a (quasi) sacred person, that is, (technically) a (male) devotee (by prostitution) to licentious idolatry: - sodomite, unclean. Total KJV occurrences: 6.. A sodomite was a male—and women too—who was a prostitute and sold themselves—to both other men and with women too—to be used sexually in a worship service, during the worship in the groves, as they were worshipping the asherah. Today, all over the world the sodomites are coming out of their closets in droves; and the whole world is celebrating them as if their sexual perversion and deviancy is a good thing. Father calls all sodomy “an abomination to Him.” If you think that you can call yourself a Christian and remain in that filthy practice, or allow and accept that nasty practice in your kurch, or vote for those who push this abomination on our Nation; then, you are no better than Jehoram. It has even been said by one of the “major denominations” that “god is not the authority on homosexuality.” For a “house of God” to say that Father is not the authority on anything, this is not a denomination I’d want to be associated with!
Verses v21:12-19 are not recorded or written of anywhere in the Books of the Kings, thus proving the independence of the The Books of the Chronicles from the Books of the Kings.
1A12
II 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, —> Elijah the prophet=If you’re familiar with Father’s Word, then you know and understand that Elijah had already returned Home to Father—having been taken up in that whirlwind by Father, with his replacement Elisha watching as it happened—a considerable amount of time before the time of Jehoram, brethren. So, you may then be wondering how there could be a writing from Elijah to Jehoram? Actually, it’s quite simple, Father had placed it in Elijah’s heart to write this writing in order for it to be presented to Jehoram when he became king. Again, you may be wondering, how could Father or Elijah know that Jehoshaphat was going to have a son named Jehoram and that he would become king of the House of Judah and that he would forsake Father in order to serve and worship baal and commit the abominations he would commit when he became king. Again, I say, that that is quite simple brethren, as Father knows all things, and He is the Heart knower, knowing what each of us is going to do. Can you imagine the look on Jehoram’s face, knowing that Elijah is “dead,” as I’m sure that that was what Jehoram thought Elijah was, was dead, and he has to be wondering how Elijah would have known to write a writing to him in the future as to what he would be doing. Can you imagine the impact that that had or should have had on Jehoram? We’re going to find that this writing is going to prophesy that Jehoram will become sick in his bowels, that he will die because of this sickness—the writing will prophesy that his bowels will fall out of his body, can you imagine being told “from the grave” that that is how you are going to die—and that a plague is going to come by Father whereby the People, his wives, his children and all his goods are going to be smitten by Father.
1A13
II Chronicles 21:13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father’s house, which were better than thyself: —> Again brethren, think hard and deep on this, as this was written by Elijah many years before Jehoram was on the throne and he wrote about Jehoram murdering his brothers!
Father knew before Jehoram took the throne all the abominations which Jehoram would commit, his following in the footsteps of Jeroboam, Baasha, Omri, Ahab and causing all Judah to sin they the kings of the House of Israel caused their People to commit sin. Father didn’t and doesn’t like it, and is telling Jehoram about it in strong words.
1A14
II Chronicles 21:14 Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy People, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: —> This is the judgment from Father on Jehoram, from a man, a Prophet of Father’s who has returned Home to Him many years previous to this.
1A15
II Chronicles 21:15 And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.’x” —> We’ll find that this “day by day” will last for a full two years of suffering by Jehoram before he finally succumbs to the illness in his bowels.
21:16 Invasions. Philistines and Abrabians.
1A16
II Chronicles 21:16 Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines (rolling; that is, migratory; or, immigrants) (pel-ehי-sheth) , and of the Arabians (Patrial from H6152; an Arabian or inhabitant of Arab, a country east of Palestine; or, desert or barren) (ar-aw-beeי), that were near the Ethiopians (patronymic from H3568, a cushite, or descendant of Cush; and, black) (koo-sheeי): —> …the LORD stirred up…=Brethren, if you don’t put your rest in Father YHVH, you’ll have no rest.
…the Philistines…the Arabians…=So, now the Philistines are again coming against Jehoram and this time, with the Arabians; Jehoram and the People of the House of Judah must by now be thinking, man-o-man we’ve had a stretch of bad luck as of late. No brethren, this isn’t just a stretch of bad luck, this is all self inflicted because of their turning their back on Father and forsaking Him.
The L ORD=This Title of Father as used here in this verse, is Father in His Role of יְהֹוָה, YHVH—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAH—the sacred and personal name of Father. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My YEHOVAH,” for YEHOVAH is “MY God.”.
Philistine(s)=For a detailed description of the Philistine(s), including his/their history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Arabians=For a detailed description of the Arabians, including their history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Ethiopians=For a detailed description of the Ethiopian, including the town’s history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
21:17 Invasions. Philistines and Abrabians.
1A17
II Chronicles 21:17 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 (YHVH-seized; or, whom YHVH sustains) (yeh-ho-aw-khawzי), the youngest of his sons. —> The Philistines and the Arabians completely overrun the outter territories of Judah and come right into the heart of Jerusalem, right into the royal palace and kidnap Jehoram’s wives and sons and daughters, and then start removing all his earthly possessions, i.e., his gold and silver, his gems and jewels, his livestock, everything, completely wiping him out—what happened to the 1,600,000 man army that Jehoram’s grand-father Jehoshaphat was mustering back in II Chronicles 17:14-19, or all the armed and manned, fortified fenced cities that lay throughout Judah?—these people stripped him bare like a dog cleans the meat off a bone. The only thing they left him was his youngest son Jehoahaz.
Jehoahaz=Things will get a little confusing with the name of this young man brethren, as he is named different names in the next Chapter: in II Chronicles 22:1 he is called Ahaziah, and a few verses later, in verse v22:6 he is identified as Azariah. The easiest way for us to understand the different names is to think of William and Bill, Richard and Dick, or James, Jim and Jimmy.
Jehoahaz
Jehoahaz=Also called Ahazaiah and Azariah. He was the youngest son of Jehoram and grand-son of Jehoshaphat. He was the 6th king of the divided House of Judah. I mentioned that he was Jehoram’s youngest son, all his older brothers were killed by the band of men who came with Arabians when they invaded Judah, thus leaving his as the sole heir to the throne. He ascended the throne in the year 789B.C. and only ruled for 1 year—he actually began co-ruling 2 years previous when his father Jehoram became sick in the bowels. Why did Father only allow him 1 year on the throne? Because of who his mother was—Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel—and the evil he will commit. There is a conflict—this conflict I believe, is not with or within Father’s Word; but, with man, i.e., either an ancient scribe or the King James Translators, perhaps because the ancient Hebrew numeric characters were Phoenician and appeared very similar. They were in use until the year 140B.C., when they were finally replaced by Hebrew “numeric square characters.” Because of the similarity of the ancient characters, mistakes were sometimes made by man—in Jehoahaz’s age: we read in II Kings 8:26—his correct age—that he was 22 years old when he ascended the throne; but, in II Chronicles 22:2 it is recorded that he was 42 years old. He could not have been 42 years old because: we know that his father Jehoram was 32 years old when he began to rule, he ruled for 8 years and died at the age of 40 years old. This means that if Jehoahaz was 42 when his father died, he would have had to have been born 2 years before his father was born. So, with all that being said, his correct age when he ascended the throne was 22 years old, thus meaning, he was born in the year 812B.C. when his father Jehoram was 16 years old; and as I said, he only reigned and ruled for 1 year, meaning he died and returned Home to Father at the age of only 23 years old. We read in II Chronicles 22:7-8 that his destruction was by Father through the hand of Jehu because he followed after the house of Ahab and he did wickedly. † For the etymology of the name Jehoahaz, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “A son of Jehoram, also known as Joram, king of Judah (II Chronicles 21:17). This Jehoahaz is also known as Amaziah, and by some translations as Ahaziah (II Chronicles 25:23 — both Alfred Jones and Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) read Ahaziah; NAS and NIV have Amaziah). The name Jehoahaz consists of two elements. The first part of our name is יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH, or Yahveh. The second part of Jehoahaz comes from the verb אחז (ahaz), meaning to take hold of, seize or grasp: For a meaning of the name Jehoahaz, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Has Taken Hold Of. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names proposes Whom The Lord Holds Fast, and BDB Theological Dictionary suggests Yah Hath Grasped.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3059, - יְהוֹאָחָז, - yehô'âchâz, pronounced - yeh-ho-aw-khawzי, and means: From H3068 and H270; YHVH seized; Jehoachaz, the name of three Israelites: - Jehoahaz. Compare H3099. Total KJV occurrences: 23.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Whom YHVH sustains. The name given, II Chronicles 21:17, to Ahaziah, the youngest son of Jehoram king of Judah.”.
21:18 Judgments, fulfilled.
1A18
II Chronicles 21:18 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. —> Not sure what this “incurable disease” in his bowels was, but he suffered with it for 2 years. Me thinks the People were pretty happy that he suffered for those 2 years considering he made them suffer for 6 years with all his wickedness. For Jehoram, I’m pretty sure he was thinking to himself, “what an incredible streak of bad luck I’ve had for the last several years of my life.” No brehtren, this wasn’t “bad luck,” it was brought about by Father because he had forsaken Him in favor of serving and worshipping baal and causing all Judah to sin.
21:19 Judgments, fulfilled.
1A19
II Chronicles 21:19 And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his People made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers. —> After suffering for 2 years, Jehoram passes away and returns Home to Father. The People hold no royal funeral for him, nor do they burn any spices for him, which was a common gesture of the day, such as they had for his grand-father Asa, as we read back in II Chronicles 16:14 where they made a great burning for him with sweet odors of a variety of spices.
21:20 Conclusion.
1A20
II Chronicles 21:20 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. —> Jehoram ascended the throne when he was 32 years old, he reigned and ruled for 8 years, and at the young age of 40 years old, he died and returned Home to Father. Because of his wife’s and his in-laws’s influence, he never served or worshipped Father YHVH, he served baal and caused the People of Judah to do the same.
Having lived under Asa and his son Jehoshaphat’s reign and rule, the People enjoyed being close to Father; but now, having lived under Jehoram and his ungodlyness, the People had nothing but distain for him, so when they buried him, the buried him without any pomp or circumstance in a plot of ground with an unremarkable headstone.
What will happen with the Nation now that this evil king is gone? Will things improve? We’ll get our answer to that question in our next Chapter, but I will give a spoiler and tell you up front, that no, things will not improve.
Nov 2021.
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