King
Jehoram of Judah
5th King of Judah
848–841 BC
Biography
Jehoram became the fifth king of Judah upon the death of his father Jehoshaphat, but unlike his godly father he walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, whose daughter he had married. He murdered all six of his brothers and several princes of Israel to eliminate rivals to his throne. The prophet Elijah sent him a letter predicting he would be struck with a grievous disease of the bowels because of his wickedness, a prophecy fulfilled exactly as his intestines literally came out over the course of two years. He died in great pain and was buried in the City of David but not in the tombs of the kings, and Scripture records that "he departed with no one's regret."
Key Events
- 1Murdered his brothers2 Chronicles 21:4 →
Killed all six of his brothers and several princes of Israel upon becoming king to secure his throne
- 2Introduced Baal worship2 Chronicles 21:11 →
Built high places in the mountains of Judah and caused Jerusalem to play the harlot, leading Judah into idolatry
- 3Elijah's prophetic letter2 Chronicles 21:12-15 →
Received a written prophecy from Elijah predicting military defeat, loss of family, and death by bowel disease
- 4Edomite and Philistine raids2 Chronicles 21:16-17 →
Lost control of Edom; Philistines and Arabians raided Judah and carried off his sons and wives
- 5Death from bowel disease2 Chronicles 21:18-20 →
Died in great agony after two years of intestinal disease; buried without honor
Key Verses
“He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.”
Spiritual Significance
Jehoram is a sobering warning that royal lineage and a godly father cannot substitute for personal faith. Despite his father's great piety, Jehoram chose the path of wickedness and suffered utter ruin — politically, physically, and in his legacy.
Character Profile
- Strengths
- Military experience, political decisiveness in securing the throne
- Weaknesses
- Idolatry, fratricide, pride, complete abandonment of his father's faith
- Lessons
- Marriage alliances with wicked people can corrupt even those from godly households. Jehoram's marriage to Athaliah pulled an entire nation into idolatry. A leader's spiritual choices have consequences far beyond themselves.