Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 21

Verse 1

-. slept with his fathers. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16 ; and contrast his ally's end (2 Chronicles 18:34 ).

-1 Jehoram. He was designated to be king in the seventeenth year of his father, but crowned in his father's twenty-third year. He reigned eight years in Jerusalem: two with his father, and six after his father's death (compare 2 Kings 1:17 ; 2 Kings 8:16 ).

Verse 2

Israel. This word was originally represented by the abbreviation (i or y), which was read for "Israel" as well as Judah. The reading in the Severus Codex (see App-34 ) is "Judah", and this is supported by the first edition of the Hagiographa (Naples, 1486-1487), the Complutensian Polyglot, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate. This same note applies to 2 Chronicles 28:19 , where the same phenomena occur.

Verse 4

slew all his brethren. The mischief of his marriage (2 Chronicles 18:1 ) was thus soon seen. The enemy's design in breaking into the royal line so as to destroy the promises of Genesis 3:15 and 2 Samuel 7:16 is seen. See App-23 . Jehoshaphat made the beginning (2 Chronicles 18:1 ); Jehoram follows it up (2 Chronicles 21:4 ); the Arabians continue the assault (2 Chronicles 21:17 ; 2 Chronicles 22:1 ); Athaliah nearly succeeds in accomplishing the design of Satan (2 Chronicles 22:10 ).

Verse 6

the daughter of Ahab: i.e. Athaliah. See App-23 and App-55 .

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 7

the covenant. Compare 2 Samuel 7:12-17 .

as = according as.

a light = a lamp. Compare 1 Kings 15:4 ; 1 Kings 11:36 . The word always refers to this promise to David.

Verse 8

the Edomites revolted. Thus fulfilling Genesis 27:40 . Compare 2 Kings 8:20 . 2 Kings 8:9 went forth with his princes. Compare 2 Kings 8:21 . They went to Zair.

Verse 10

unto this day. Compare 2 Kings 8:22 .

did Libnah revolt. Libnah was a city of the priests (Joshua 21:13 ). The Temple was broken up (2 Chronicles 24:4 , 2 Chronicles 24:7 ), and the priests combined to dethrone Athaliah, and to restore the worship of Jehovah (2 Chronicles 23:14-17 ; 2 Chronicles 24:4-11 ).

Verse 11

mountains. A special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "cities".

fornication. Literal as well as spiritual, connected with the worship of the 'Asherah ( App-42 ).

compelled. Compare Deuteronomy 4:19 .

Verse 12

there came = was brought. Why assume that Elijah then sent it? It might have "come" as Holy Scripture comes to us to-day, though written in the past. It does not say a "letter" (which would be 'iggereth, or sepher , a book), but michetab, any writing, written at any time; probably a prophetic writing to be delivered at this particular time.

Elijah. Long since raptured (2 Kings 2:0 ; Compare 2 Chronicles 3:11 ). This is the only mention of Elijah in Chronicles.

Verse 14

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. .

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in verses: 2 Chronicles 21:14-15 .

children = sons.

Verse 16

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for life in its manifestations.

the Philistines. These were tributaries before this (2 Chronicles 17:11 ).

were near: or were under the direction of.

Verse 17

into Judah. And as far as Jerusalem, which also they took.

his wives. Except Athaliah.

never a son left him. This shows how nearly the plot of the great enemy succeeded in breaking up the royal line. See App-23 , and compare note on 2 Chronicles 21:4 above.

Jehoahaz, or Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 22:1 ), or Azariah (2 Chronicles 22:6 ). All the same meaning = Jehovah taketh hold. On the various spelling of proper names, sea note on 1 Chronicles 25:11 .

Verse 19

no burning: i.e. of spices.

Verse 20

without being desired = unregretted.

slain all the eldest. See note on 2 Chronicles 21:17 .