MAY 14

Chapter 21 records the rule of Jehoshaphat’s eldest son,
Jehoram. His reign was a very wicked one. In verses 1-7 he kills all
his brothers. “And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like
as did the house of Ahab.” His continual evil deeds brought doom to
him. His doom was pronounced by a letter which had been written by
Elijah and probably delivered by Elisha. Verses 16-20 record the
disastrous end of Jehoram. He was smitten by the Lord with an
incurable disease. Jehoram was 32 years old when he began his reign,
and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. Verse 20 tells us that he
“departed without being desired.” Jehoram had been a wicked king and
the people would not miss him. What a tragedy that a man with such
an opportunity to live for the Lord completely rejected God and His
teachings. Jehoram lived and died tragically. Opportunities given
him were passed by with apparently no thought of them.

In chapter 22 we have the accession of Ahaziah over Judah,
and his wicked reign is recorded in the first nine verses. He was
slain by Jehu and, in verse 10, Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah
tried to destroy all the seed of the house of Judah. But
Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, and sister of Ahaziah,
took Joash, the son of Ahaziah, and his him in the bedchamber, thus
saving the royal seed of Judah.

In chapter 23 Joash becomes king and Athaliah is executed.
Verses 16-21 of that same chapter record the revival that spread
throughout the land, under the godly leadership of Jehoiada the
priest.

Chapter 24 gives a synopsis of Joash’s rule; the repair of
the Temple; the death of Jehoiada; the apostasy of the princes and
kings; the stoning of Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah; and Joash’s violent
death, with his son, Amaziah, succeeding him.