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Bible reading: 2
Chronicles 21:1-11
1 Now
Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his
fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his
stead. 2 And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat,
Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael,
and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat
king of Israel. 3 And their father gave them great gifts
of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced
cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was
the firstborn. 4 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the
kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his
brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes
of Israel. 5 Jehoram was thirty and two years old
when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like
as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to
wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of
the LORD. 7 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house
of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David,
and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for
ever. 8 In his days the Edomites revolted from under the
dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king. 9 Then
Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with
him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which
compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots. 10 So
the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this
day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his
hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers. 11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and
caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and
compelled Judah thereto.
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.
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