Jehoram of Judah
Summary
Son of Jehoshaphat who married Ahab's daughter Athaliah and led Judah deeply into Baal worship. He murdered his brothers to secure the throne and died of a terrible bowel disease as prophesied by Elijah.
- The record places Jehoram of Judah in Divided Kingdom.
- 5 moments stand in order on this page, each with its verse.
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Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He died, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
2 Chronicles 21:20→- 5 key events in order
Jehoram of Judah
- Role
- 5th King of Judah
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
- Dates
- 848–841 BC
- Tribe
- Judah
- Father
- Jehoshaphat
- Spouse
- Athaliah
- Children
- Ahaziah of Judah
The life in order
from the events the row records, with the first and last verse that names the person among the passages this page stands on
1What the record holds, in its own order
- Murdered his brothers2 Chronicles 21:4When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened himself by putting to the sword all his brothers along with some of the princes of Israel.
- Introduced Baal worship2 Chronicles 21:11Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah; he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.
- Elijah's prophetic letter2 Chronicles 21:12-15Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, which stated: “This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘You have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah,
- Edomite and Philistine raids2 Chronicles 21:16-17Then the LORD stirred against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and Arabs who lived near the Cushites.
- Death from bowel disease2 Chronicles 21:18-20After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels.
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."
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He died, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
What they got right, and what they got wrong
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.
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.
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