Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

2 Chronicles 21

Never surely did any kingdom change its king so much for the worse as Judah did, when Jehoram, one of the vilest, succeeded Jehoshaphat, one of the best. Thus were they punished for not making a better use of Jehoshaphat’s good government, and their disaffectedness (or coldness at least) to his reformation, 2 Chronicles 20:33. Those that knew not now to value a good king are justly plagued with a bad one. Here is, I. Jehoram’s elevation to the throne, 2 Chronicles 21:1-21:3. II. The wicked course he took to establish himself in it, by the murder of his brethren, 2 Chronicles 21:4. III. The idolatries and other wickedness he was guilty of, 2 Chronicles 21:5, 21:6, 21:11. IV. The prophecy of Elijah against him, 2 Chronicles 21:12-21:15. V. The judgments of God upon him, in the revolt of his subjects from him (2 Chronicles 21:8-21:10) and the success of his enemies against him, 2 Chronicles 21:16, 21:17. VI. His miserable sickness and inglorious exit, 2 Chronicles 21:18-21:20. VII. The preservation of the house of David notwithstanding, 2 Chronicles 21:7. MHBCC 389.1