“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.”
Read 2 Chron. 15:17 , how by Israel he meant Judah.
“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.”
Because the wicked live ever in fear, and also are ambitious, they become cruel, and spare not to murder them, whom by nature they ought most to cherish and defend. Meaning, of Judah and Benjamin. Cross references: : 2 Kings 8:16
“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.”
So that we see how it cannot be that we should join with the wicked, and serve God.
“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. light: Heb. lamp, or, candle”
2 Sam. 7:12 , 16 ; 1 Kings 2:4 ; 1 Kings 9:5 ; 2 Kings 8:19 ; 2 Chron. 6:16
“Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.”
Meaning, idolatry because that the idolater breaketh promise with God, as doth the adulteress to her husband.
“And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,”
Some think that this was Elisha, so called because he had the Spirit in abundance, as had Elijah.
“And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.”
We see this example daily practiced upon them that fall away from God, and become idolaters and murderers of their brethren.
“Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:”
There were other Arabians in Africa Southward toward Egypt.
“And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. carried: Heb. carried captive Jehoahaz: also called, Ahaziah, Chap.22.I. or, Azariah, ver.6.”
Called also Ahaziah, as 2 Chron. 22:1 , or Azariah, verse 6 following.
“Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings. without: Heb. without desire”
That is, as some write, he was not regarded, but deposed for his wickedness, and idolatry: so that his son reigned 22 years (his father yet living) without honor, and after his father’s death he was confirmed to reign still, as 2 Chron. 22:2 .