Difference between revisions of "Jehoram"

<p> '''Jeho'ram.''' ''(whom Jehovah has exalted).'' Son of Ahab, king of Israel, who succeeded his brother, Ahaziah, [[B.C.]] 896, and died [[B.C.]] 884. The alliance between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, commenced by his father and Jehoshaphat, was very close throughout his reign. We first find him associated with Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom in a war against the Moabites. The three armies were in the utmost danger of perishing for want of water. The piety of Jehoshaphat suggested an inquiry of '''Jehovah''' , thorough Elisha. </p> <p> After reproving Jehoram, Elisha, for Jehoshaphat's sake, inquired of '''Jehovah''' , and received the promise of an abundant supply of water, and of a great victory over the Moabites; a promise which was immediately fulfilled. The allies pursued them with great slaughter into their own land, which they utterly ravaged and destroyed most of its cities. [[Kirharaseth]] alone remained, there the then king of Moab made his last stand. An attempt to break through the besieging army having failed, he resorted to the desperate expedient of offering up his eldest son, as a [[Burnt]] Offering, upon the wall of the city, in the sight of the enemy. Upon this the [[Israelites]] retired and returned to their own land. &nbsp;2 Kings 3:1. </p> <p> [[A]] little later, when war broke out between Syria and Israel, we find Elisha befriending Jehoram; but when the terrible famine in [[Samaria]] arose, the king immediately attributed the evil to Elisha, and determined to take away his life. The providential interposition by which both Elisha's life was saved the city delivered is narrated &nbsp;2 Kings 7:1, and Jehoram appears to have returned to friendly feeling toward Elisha. &nbsp;2 Kings 8:4. </p> <p> It was soon after these events that the revolution in Syria predicted by Elisha took place, giving Jehoram a good opportunity of recovering Ramoth-gilead from the Syrians. He accordingly made an alliance with his nephew Ahaziah, who had just succeeded [[Joram]] on the throne of Judah, and the two kings proceeded to occupy Ramoth-gilead by force. The expedition was an unfortunate one. </p> <p> Jehoram was wounded in battle, and obliged to return to Jezreel to be healed of his wounds. &nbsp;2 Kings 8:29; &nbsp;2 Kings 9:14-15. Jehu, and the army under his command, revolted from their allegiance to Jehoram, &nbsp;2 Kings 9:1, and hastily marching to Jezreel, surprised Jehoram, wounded and defenseless as he was. Jehoram, going out to meet him, fell pierced by an arrow from Jehu's bow on the very plot of ground which Ahab had wrested from Naboth, the Jezreelite; thus fulfilling to the letter the prophecy of Elijah. &nbsp;1 Kings 21:29. With the life of Jehoram, ended the dynasty of Omri. </p> <p> 2. Eldest son of Jehoshaphat, succeeded his father on the throne of Judah at the age of 32, and reigned eight years, from [[B.C.]] 893-2 to 885-4. 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, &nbsp;2 Chronicles 21:12, failed to produce any good effect upon him. The remainder of his reign was a series of calamities. </p> <p> First the Edomites, who had been tributary to Jehoshaphat, revolted from his dominion and established their permanent independence. Next Libnah, &nbsp;2 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, &nbsp;2 Chronicles 22:1, or carried them into captivity, and plundered all his treasures. He died of a terrible disease. &nbsp;2 Chronicles 21:19-20. </p>

<p> '''Jehoram''' (''je-hô'ram'' ), whom ''Jehovah has exalted.'' 1. The son and successor of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. He reigned eight years, three of which he was associated with his father, though some suppose that he reigned eight years alone. He married Athahah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel; and, through her influence, all the brothers of the king were murdered, and the gross idolatries of the Phœnicians were introduced into the kingdom of Judah. The Edomites revolted, and made themselves independent. The Philistines on one side, and the Arabians on the other, ravaged the country, and even Jerusalem and the royal palace. Jehoram was at length smitten with a malignant dysentery. He died miserably, and was denied the honors of a royal burial. He is also called Joram. &nbsp;2 Kings 8:16; &nbsp;2 Kings 8:21; &nbsp;2 Kings 8:24; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 21:2. One of the priests. &nbsp;2 Chronicles 17:8. 3. See Joram. </p>