2 Chronicles 21:3 kjv
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.
2 Chronicles 21:3 nkjv
Their father gave them great gifts of silver and gold and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.
2 Chronicles 21:3 niv
Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and articles of value, as well as fortified cities in Judah, but he had given the kingdom to Jehoram because he was his firstborn son.
2 Chronicles 21:3 esv
Their father gave them great gifts of silver, gold, and valuable possessions, together with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.
2 Chronicles 21:3 nlt
Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of silver, gold, and costly items, and also some of Judah's fortified towns. However, he designated Jehoram as the next king because he was the oldest.
2 Chronicles 21 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 4:7 | "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” | Choice leading to inheritance (Cain/Abel) |
| Gen 25:5-6 | "Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts..." | Abraham's distribution to sons |
| Gen 27:36 | "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright..." | Esau's lost primogeniture |
| Gen 48:17-19 | "...he blessed Joseph and said, 'The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked...'” | Ephraim blessed over Manasseh |
| Deut 21:15-17 | "If a man has two wives, the one beloved and the other unloved, and both the beloved and the unloved have borne him sons, and the firstborn son is hers who is unloved..." | Law of the firstborn's rights |
| 1 Kgs 1:30 | "...as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne instead of you,’ so will I do this day.” | David choosing Solomon over older sons |
| 1 Chr 5:1 | "The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel)..." | Reuben's lost birthright |
| 1 Chr 29:26 | "Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel." | Example of David's successful reign |
| 2 Chr 11:23 | "...he dealt wisely and distributed some of his sons throughout all the districts of Judah and Benjamin, in all the fortified cities." | Rehoboam also gave fortified cities |
| 2 Chr 17:1-2 | "Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel." | Jehoshaphat's own succession |
| 2 Chr 17:12 | "And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities." | Jehoshaphat's use of fortified cities |
| 2 Chr 20:31-34 | "Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign... And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD..." | Jehoshaphat's righteous reign |
| 2 Chr 21:1-2 | "Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place." | Immediate context of Jehoram's ascension |
| 2 Chr 21:4 | "When Jehoram had taken the throne of his father and established himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel." | Jehoram's evil actions post-succession |
| Job 42:15 | "In all the land there were no women found so beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers." | Daughters receiving inheritance/gifts |
| Ps 78:70-71 | "He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob his people, of Israel his inheritance." | God's sovereign choice in leadership |
| Prov 13:22 | "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children..." | Wisdom on inheritance |
| Matt 25:14-15 | "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability." | Parable of talents (stewardship) |
| Luke 15:12 | "And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’" | Prodigal son asking for inheritance |
| Heb 1:2 | "but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." | Christ as the ultimate heir |
2 Chronicles 21 verses
2 Chronicles 21 3 Meaning
Second Chronicles 21:3 describes King Jehoshaphat's succession plan, where he meticulously provided for his younger sons with significant personal wealth—including silver, gold, and valuable items, alongside strategic fortified cities in Judah. However, he exclusively granted the kingdom itself, the ultimate authority and throne, to his eldest son, Jehoram, strictly adhering to the established custom of primogeniture.
2 Chronicles 21 3 Context
The verse is part of the introductory passage to King Jehoram's reign, immediately following the summary of Jehoshaphat's godly rule and peaceful passing. Chapter 21, verses 1-3 set the stage for the dramatic and tragic reign of Jehoram, Jehoshaphat's son. Jehoshaphat, known for his administrative acumen, military strength, and devotion to God, sought to ensure a smooth transition of power. He made arrangements characteristic of an experienced and wealthy king, securing his other sons' future with personal wealth and strategic holdings, while adhering to the widely accepted practice of primogeniture for the royal succession. This careful and seemingly wise paternal provision stands in stark contrast to Jehoram's subsequent actions in verse 4, where he cruelly murders his brothers. This setup by the Chronicler highlights the inherent danger when even the most careful human planning is overshadowed by the wickedness of the chosen heir.
2 Chronicles 21 3 Word analysis
- And their father: Refers to King Jehoshaphat, a prominent king of Judah, renowned for his righteous reign and administrative skill (2 Chr 17-20). This highlights a father's natural provision for his children.
- gave them: Indicates a deliberate act of gifting and endowment.
- great gifts: From the Hebrew מתנות רבות (matnot rabbot), signifying abundant and substantial presents. These gifts ensured a high standard of living and a measure of security for the younger sons, distinct from political authority.
- of silver and gold and precious things: These phrases denote valuable material wealth, representing status, security, and the father's abundant resources. Such wealth was common for royal families and a means of personal provision.
- with fortified cities: Hebrew ערי מצורות (arei metzur'ot). These were not just personal dwellings but strategic strongholds, possibly indicating administrative or economic oversight for the sons, and perhaps even their military training and influence, under Jehoram's ultimate authority. Jehoshaphat himself had actively built and strengthened such cities throughout Judah (2 Chr 17:12). This was a practical and effective way to settle his sons, providing them with both property and a source of livelihood or power base within the kingdom's structure.
- in Judah: Specifies the geographical region, within the heartland of the kingdom ruled by Jehoram.
- but the kingdom: Hebrew המלוכה (ha-melukhah), explicitly referring to the sovereignty, the throne, and the governmental authority. This word sets a stark contrast to the "gifts" and "cities" given to the others. It signifies ultimate power and responsibility.
- he gave to Jehoram: A clear and intentional designation of the primary heir and successor to the throne. Jehoram (יהורם – Yehoram, meaning "Yahweh is exalted") ironically brought God's judgment upon Judah through his ungodly reign.
- because he was the firstborn: Hebrew הבכור (ha-bekhor), signifying adherence to the principle of primogeniture, where the eldest son traditionally inherited the main estate or position of leadership. This was a widespread ancient Near Eastern custom, codified in Israelite law (Deut 21:15-17). While common, God's divine sovereignty sometimes bypassed this custom in scripture for His purposes (e.g., Jacob over Esau, David over his elder brothers).
2 Chronicles 21 3 Bonus section
The seemingly wise and benevolent act of King Jehoshaphat in distributing gifts and cities foreshadows the darker side of royal succession in the Ancient Near East. While seemingly securing his younger sons' future, such substantial power bases could also be seen as potential threats to the ruling monarch, if not managed carefully. Jehoram's brutal act of murdering his brothers in 2 Chronicles 21:4, immediately after assuming power, can be viewed not merely as gratuitous evil, but also as a ruthless move to consolidate his power and eliminate any perceived rivals who might have claims or popular support, perhaps fueled by the very influence and resources granted to them by their father. This demonstrates that even good intentions can create circumstances exploited by wickedness. Furthermore, Jehoram's kingship illustrates a profound contrast with his righteous father, emphasizing that spiritual inheritance is not guaranteed by birthright or human decree, but requires individual fidelity to God. The name Jehoram itself, meaning "Yahweh is exalted," stands as a poignant reminder of his complete departure from God's way.
2 Chronicles 21 3 Commentary
2 Chronicles 21:3 illustrates a king's structured approach to royal succession, providing generously for his numerous offspring while ensuring the clear transfer of authority. Jehoshaphat's actions reveal both careful paternal love and sound political foresight according to the custom of his time. By granting personal wealth and even control over strategically important fortified cities to his younger sons, he ensured their security, social standing, and likely a level of regional influence, preventing potential discord or destitution that might destabilize the kingdom. Yet, the distinct separation between these generous provisions and the absolute conferral of "the kingdom" upon Jehoram highlights the singular nature of royal authority. This was not a shared inheritance of power but a designated succession of the supreme office. The chronicler emphasizes this by explicitly stating the reason: "because he was the firstborn." This adherence to primogeniture was the established legal and social norm in Israel for royal succession, though not always adhered to, nor always aligning with God's perfect will, as seen in other biblical instances where divine choice superseded birth order. The tragic irony is immediately apparent in the subsequent verses (2 Chr 21:4), where Jehoram's wickedness, despite his father's careful provisions and the adherence to legal custom, led him to murder these very brothers and disregard the spiritual heritage of Judah. This verse, therefore, implicitly sets up the narrative tension, demonstrating that even the best human arrangements and adherence to cultural norms cannot guarantee a righteous outcome when the heir’s heart is corrupt.