After all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. What it was is not agreed upon; some take it be an "hernia", or rupture; others, the falling of the "anus", or a fistula in it; others, the colic, or iliac passion; but generally it is thought to be a dysentery, or bloody flux; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord broke him.' read more
The Lord smote him - "And after all these things the Word of the Lord smote his bowels," etc. - Targum. read more
A reign of unmitigated shame. To the career of Jehoshaphat of almost exemplary excellence, that of Jehoram, his son, forms a contrast most humiliating. Obviously it is not the least painful feature of this latter that it so inevitably forces into our memory the parental fault, which, if it were not the cause and very foundation of an eldest son s abandoned character and course of conduct, could not fail to have given opportunity for it, and could not fail to incur the responsibility before... read more
An incurable disease ; i.e. it was so severe that it was in this case incurable. read more
2 Chronicles 21:18. The Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease Dr. Mede observes, two impious kings are recorded to have had the same end that this Jehoram had: Antiochus Epiphanes and Agrippa, of whom it was said, εις τι σπλαγχνα τοις ου σπλαγχνιζομενοις , “Of what avail are bowels to those who have no bowels, who show no pity or compassion?” It is true, even good men, and those who are dear to God, may be afflicted with diseases of this kind: but to such they are fatherly... read more
Jezebel’s Baalism in Judah (21:1-23:21)The Baalism of Ahab and Jezebel remained strong in the northern kingdom during the successive reigns of their sons Ahaziah and Joram (2 Kings 1:1-8:15). It spread to Judah in the reign of Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram, who was married to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (21:1-20; see notes on 2 Kings 8:16-24).Judah’s next king, Ahaziah, at the direction of his mother Athaliah and her northern relatives, cooperated with the idolatrous northern... read more
PROPHECY OF SICKNESS AND DEATH FULFILLED"And after all this Jehovah smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. And it came to pass, in process of time, at the end of two years, that his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness, and he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers. Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years: and he departed without being desired; and they buried him in... read more
2 Chronicles 21:18. The Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease— Dr. Mede observes, that "two impious kings are recorded to have had the same end; Antiochus Epiphanes, and Agrippa, of whom it was said, εις τι τα σπλαγχνα τοις ου σπλαγχνιεομε οις, of what avail are bowels to those who have no bowels? Now, this distemper seems to me to be no other than a severe dysentery; for in this the intestines are ulcerated, and blood flows from the eroded vessels, together with some... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 21:12-20
Here we have, I. A warning from God sent to Jehoram by a writing from Elijah the prophet. By this it appears that Jehoram came to the throne, and showed himself what he was before Elijah's translation. It is true we find Elisha attending Jehoshaphat, and described as pouring water on the hands of Elijah, after the story of Elijah's translation (2 Kgs. 3:11); but that might be, and that description might be given of him, while Elijah was yet on earth: and it is certain that that history is put... read more