With Jehoshaphat's death, his son Jehoram who had acted as regent for about seven years already (see {vi 9551;9744}2 Kings 1:17; 8:16, and 3:1) while his father lived, became king. Jehoram had the benefit of his father's rich experience in the school of God, for he was now 32 years of age, having been about 7 when Jehoshaphat took the throne; like his father, he must have known of the remarkable ministry of Elijah the prophet, and how God had displayed Himself both in judgment and in blessing in Israel and in Judah.
But these things had little or no effect on this young man; he murdered all his brothers and certain of the princes of Israel, and he walked in the way of the kings of Israel as did the house of Ahab, for Ahab's daughter was his wife. He re-established or strengthened idolatry in Judah, and led the people into immorality such as characterized the house of Ahab.
God's forbearance continued in the face of this terrible record; in grace He lingered over the nation.
Is this not comparable with the amazing grace of God at this present moment of the world's history? What increasing proof we have, from day to day, that men, women, and children too, have turned their backs upon the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent to be a Saviour, and established for themselves other objects supreme in the heart. Judgment approaches. If they have read it, they have ignored that Word of God that speaks both of grace and of judgment, and that solemnly warns the young in particular (Eccl. 11:9) that for all these things God will bring them into judgment.
As we gather from what is told of Jehoram's course, though eternity will bring for him the solemn judgment of the great white throne, brought its share of earthly punishment also, for Edom revolted, and set up a king of their own; and Jehoram could not subdue them. Libnah also, in the south, revolted and apparently was not retaken.
To Jehoram came then a message from Elijah (the only reference in the Chronicles to this prophet who now, as we judge had been given his glorious passage to the presence of God, and had left this message in writing, to be delivered in due time), foretelling a visitation from God upon Judah, and in particular upon himself, because of his sins.
Philistines and Arabians, stirred up against Jehoram by God, came up into Judah and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house; his sons also and his wives, so that there was no son left him except the youngest one, called Jehoahaz and Ahaziah.
Lastly the disease foretold by Elijah's writing came on the godless king, an incurable sickness of the bowels from which he died in cruel sufferings, but apparently unrepentant. He died without being regretted, or desired, another example of God's rule given in Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."