Chapter 2: A Kingdom Unravels

But God was watching.

Edom, which had been subject to Judah since the days of David, revolted and crowned its own king. Jehoram marched out with his chariots to crush the rebellion. He was surrounded in the night and barely escaped with his life. Then Libnah, a Levitical city within Judah's own borders, revolted as well. His own people were turning against him.

Then a letter arrived. From the prophet Elijah, written before he was taken up to heaven. The man who had stood on Mount Carmel and defeated Jezebel's prophets now sent his words into the palace of Jezebel's daughter.

ELIJAH (in his letter)“Because you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have led Judah into harlotry, and because you have killed your brothers, your own father's family, men who were better than you, the Lord will strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a heavy blow. And you yourself will suffer a severe disease of your intestines, until they come out, day after day.”— 2 Chronicles 21:12-15

Everything Elijah wrote came to pass. God stirred up the Philistines and the Arabs against Judah. They invaded the land and broke into the royal palace.

A SERVANT (rushing to Jehoram)“The palace has been raided. Your wives and sons are gone. Only Ahaziah remains. He is all you have left.”

Then the disease struck. For two years Jehoram suffered. He died in severe pain. He was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the tombs of the kings. No one made a funeral fire in his honor.

He reigned eight years. And he departed with no one's regret. (2 Chronicles 21:20)