2 Chronicles 21 1

2 Chronicles 21:1 kjv

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 Chronicles 21:1 nkjv

And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. Then Jehoram his son reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 21:1 niv

Then Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. And Jehoram his son succeeded him as king.

2 Chronicles 21:1 esv

Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 21:1 nlt

When Jehoshaphat died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Jehoram became the next king.

2 Chronicles 21 verses

2 Chronicles 21 1 Meaning

This verse marks a significant transition in the kingdom of Judah. It signals the conclusion of King Jehoshaphat's reign, emphasizing his peaceful end and burial with his forefathers in Jerusalem, the City of David. Concurrently, it announces the immediate succession of his son, Jehoram, to the throne, thereby continuing the Davidic royal lineage.

2 Chronicles 21 1 Context

This verse functions as a concluding summary to Chapter 20 and an introduction to Chapter 21 of 2 Chronicles. Chapter 20 highlighted Jehoshaphat's generally faithful and prosperous reign, marked by seeking the Lord, reforming the kingdom, and miraculously defeating enemies. The immediate historical context places Judah in the era of the divided monarchy, after the split of the united kingdom under Rehoboam. Jehoshaphat was one of the better kings of Judah, known for his administrative reforms and religious zeal, despite some compromises (like alliances with wicked Ahab and Ahaziah of Israel). This transitional verse sets a dramatic shift, as Chapter 21 will immediately pivot to the severely wicked reign of his son, Jehoram, presenting a stark contrast to his father's legacy and illustrating the perilous nature of Judah's monarchy. The narrative consistently traces the continuity of the Davidic dynasty, even through corrupt kings, upholding the foundational Davidic Covenant while simultaneously illustrating individual accountability.

2 Chronicles 21 1 Word analysis

• Then Jehoshaphat rested:
  • Then: wa-yehî (וַיְהִי), a common Hebrew conjunctive expressing sequence, "and it was," indicating a logical or chronological continuation from the previous narrative.
  • Jehoshaphat: יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yehoshaphat), meaning "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh is judge." His name reflects divine judgment, ironically preceding a son whose actions would bring severe judgment upon the kingdom.
  • rested: וַיִּשְׁכַּב (wa-yishkav), from the root שָׁכַב (shakhav), meaning "to lie down," "to sleep." In biblical contexts, particularly for kings, it's a euphemism for dying a peaceful death. It implies a dignified, natural end to life, distinct from violent deaths. For righteous kings, it suggests going to one's final rest.
• with his ancestors:
  • with his ancestors: עִם אֲבֹתָיו (‘im avotayv). אֲבֹתָיו (avotayv) literally means "his fathers" or "his forefathers." This phrase denotes joining the long line of deceased family members, emphasizing a continuation of lineage even in death. It's a standard formula used throughout Kings and Chronicles to describe the death of a king, irrespective of their character, although sometimes certain wicked kings are pointedly not buried with the kings (e.g., Ahaz).
• and was buried with them:
  • and was buried: וַיִּקְּבְרֻהוּ (wa-yiqqeberuhu), from the root קָבַר (qavar), "to bury." The passive form signifies the action done to him.
  • with them: ‘immahèm, "with them [his ancestors]," further emphasizing his joining the previous royal lineage in burial.
• in the City of David:
  • in the City of David: בְּעִיר דָּוִיד (bə‘îr David). This refers to Jerusalem, specifically the oldest part of the city, originally Jebusite, that David captured and made his capital and where he himself was buried. For Judahite kings, being buried here signified legitimate reign and belonging to the direct lineage of King David, thereby reaffirming the Davidic Covenant. It marked their royal legitimacy and often, though not always, their honorable standing. Not all kings were afforded burial there, signaling disfavor or disqualification from that high honor.
• And Jehoram his son:
  • And Jehoram: וַיִּמְלֹךְ יְהוֹרָם (wa-yimloch Yehoram). יְהוֹרָם (Yehoram) means "Yahweh is exalted." Irony is deeply present here, as Jehoram would profoundly dishonor Yahweh through his reign.
  • his son: בְּנוֹ (beno), emphasizes the hereditary principle of succession central to the Davidic monarchy. This highlights both continuity and responsibility; the throne is inherited, but individual actions define each reign.
• succeeded him as king:
  • succeeded him as king: תַּחְתָּיו מֶלֶךְ (tachtayv melech), literally "under him king," or "in his place, king." This confirms the formal and immediate transfer of royal power.

2 Chronicles 21 1 Bonus section

• The brevity and formulaic nature of this verse are characteristic of the Deuteronomistic history's (and Chronicler's) recording of kings' deaths and successions. This consistent pattern helps to reinforce the theological emphasis on the continuity of the Davidic line despite individual kings' moral failings.
• The contrast between "rested" and the chaotic, violent reign of Jehoram that follows (2 Chr 21:4-6) serves as a literary device to heighten the impact of Jehoram's wickedness. Jehoshaphat's dignified rest is immediately overshadowed by the coming reign of terror.
• The fact that Jehoshaphat had multiple sons (2 Chr 21:2) but Jehoram, the eldest, succeeded him according to convention, lays the groundwork for the fratricide Jehoram would commit to consolidate his power, a shocking act against his own flesh and blood. This emphasizes Jehoram's evil nature from the outset.
• This transition highlights the personal responsibility of each king, regardless of the lineage or the spiritual disposition of their predecessor. God holds each ruler accountable for their own choices before Him, and these choices have profound consequences for the nation.

2 Chronicles 21 1 Commentary

This concise verse, 2 Chronicles 21:1, functions as a formulaic summary of a royal transition, yet it holds deep significance. The phrase "Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David" is not merely a statement of death; it's a validation of his legitimate reign within the Davidic dynasty and an affirmation of a relatively peaceful end. His burial in the "City of David" signals his honorable standing and proper lineage, distinguishing him from kings who, due to severe wickedness, were denied burial in the royal tombs. This dignified end for Jehoshaphat contrasts starkly with the impending narrative of Jehoram.

The immediate succession of "Jehoram his son" marks the continuation of the Davidic line, a perpetual theme affirming God's covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16). However, the chronicler carefully sets the stage for Jehoram's ungodly rule. Despite inheriting the throne from a largely righteous father, Jehoram would turn sharply to wickedness, causing significant distress and judgment upon Judah. This verse, therefore, acts as a pivotal hinge between a relatively stable and faithful era and a period of deep spiritual decline and political instability, foreshadowing the crucial theological message that even within a divinely promised lineage, individual choices determine a king's, and ultimately, a nation's destiny before God. It reminds us that blessings are not always transferred automatically across generations; individual obedience remains paramount.