REIGN OF JEHORAM (2Chronicles 21:2-18).

THE NEW KING MURDERS HIS SIX BROTHERS

(2Chronicles 21:2-4).

(2) Azariah . . . and Azariah.--Heb. 'Azary?h . . . and Azaryah-, different forms of the same name. All the versions give one form only. An old error of transcription may be involved (comp. 1Chronicles 3:6; 1Chronicles 3:8); but it is also possible that Jehoshaphat named two of his sons Azariah, "Iah helpeth," in pious recognition of two several mercies. Shephatiah, "Iah judgeth," repeats his own name in inverted shape.

The other names are--"God liveth," "Iah remem-bereth," "Who is like God? "--all significant of the king's faith.

Jehoshaphat king of Israel.--The southern kingdom is called "Israel" in 2Chronicles 12:1; 2Chronicles 12:6; 2Chronicles 21:4; 2Chronicles 28:19; 2Chronicles 28:27, and elsewhere, as enjoying the legitimate monarchy, and maintaining the orthodox ritual and priesthood. Here, however, some Hebrew MSS., the LXX., Syriac, Vulg., and Arabic, read "Judah."

(3) And their father gave them great gifts.--Jehoshaphat before his death had provided for his sons, as Rehoboam before him had done for his, by appointing them resident governors of the national fortresses, and sending them away with valuable presents (2Chronicles 11:23).

Of silver, and of gold.--The preposition (le) belongs to the chronicler's style.

Precious things (migd?noth; Genesis 24:53).--Such as jewels, robes, and spices.

Because he was the firstborn.--This was the rule. (Comp. Deuteronomy 21:15-17.) For exceptions, see 1Chronicles 28:5; 2Chronicles 11:22; 2Chronicles 36:1.

(4) Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father.--Literally, And Jehoram arose over the kingdom, &c., a peculiar expression, only found here. It seems to mean, established himself on the throne. (See Exodus 1:8 for a similar phrase, and comp. the use of the same verb, 1Samuel 24:20.)

He strengthened himself.--Secured his hold of power (2Chronicles 1:1; 2Chronicles 1:12, &c).

And slew all his brethren.--In order to prevent intrigues against himself. Such ruthless crimes have been customary at Oriental accessions, and are one of the natural results of polygamy. (Comp. the conduct of Abimelech (Judges 9:5) and of Athaliah (2Chronicles 22:10). It was thus that Jehoram "strengthened himself."

And divers also of the princes of Israel.--Some of the great chiefs of the clans, whose power or sympathy with his murdered brothers Jehoram may have dreaded. Or, like other Oriental despots, Jehoram may have acted from no other motive than a rapacious desire to confiscate their wealth. Some suppose that both his brethren and these "princes" had given signs of dissatisfaction at Jehoram and Athalian's heathen policy. (Comp. 2Chronicles 21:13, "thy brethren . . . which were better than thyself.")

Verse 2. - Though in our version two Azariahs appear among the six sons of Jehoshaphat here given, the Hebrew text shows עֲזַרְיָה in the one place and עֲזַרְיָהוּ in the other. Nothing is known of the previous history of these six, now so cruelly murdered by their eldest brother. It will be observed that Jehoshaphat is styled King of Israel, probably merely generically. Into this way the writer of Chronicles would run, at any rate, more easily than the writer of Kings.

21:1-11 Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter.And he had brethren, the sons of Jehoshaphat,.... That is, Jehoram had, who succeeded him: their names follow:

Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah; two of them were of the same name; though it may be observed, that in the Hebrew text they are somewhat distinguished, the latter is called Azariah; Jehiel is said, by the Jews (x), to be the same with Hiel that rebuilt Jericho; indeed it was rebuilt in the times of Jehoshaphat, and was a city of the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:21 which was under his jurisdiction; but it can never be thought that he would ever suffer a son of his to rebuild it; besides, he is expressly said to be a Bethelite, 1 Kings 16:34,

all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel; which generally, since the division of the kingdom, designs the ten tribes, but cannot be the meaning here, because Jehoshaphat was only king of two tribes, Judah and Benjamin; they were tribes of Israel indeed, and so he was king of a part of Israel; and besides, many out of the ten tribes came and settled in his kingdom, and were under his government; though some think he is so called, because he concerned himself so much for the kingdom of Israel, and more than for his own; but the Vulgate Latin, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, all read king of Judah; wherefore some are of opinion that Israel is a mistake of the transcriber; but this need not be supposed, since he was of right king of Israel, and was in fact king of two tribes that belonged to Israel.

(x) T. Hieros. Sanhedrin, fol. 29. 4.