And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathersThis phrase indicates the death of Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of Judah, who reigned from approximately 873 to 849 BC. The expression "rested with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, suggesting a peaceful passing and a joining with ancestors. Jehoshaphat was known for his religious reforms and efforts to bring the people back to the worship of Yahweh, as seen in
2 Chronicles 17:3-6. His reign was marked by prosperity and military success, attributed to his faithfulness to God. The phrase also reflects the belief in an afterlife where the faithful are gathered to their forebears.
and was buried with them in the City of David.
The City of David refers to the ancient core of Jerusalem, where the kings of Judah were traditionally buried. This burial location signifies honor and legitimacy, as it connects Jehoshaphat to the Davidic line, which is central to the messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. The City of David is an archaeological site today, providing insights into the period's burial practices and the historical reality of the Davidic dynasty. The burial of kings in this location underscores the continuity of the Davidic covenant, which is foundational to the hope of a future Messiah.
And his son Jehoram reigned in his place.
Jehoram's ascension to the throne marks a significant transition in Judah's history. Unlike his father, Jehoram's reign was characterized by idolatry and political instability, as detailed in2 Chronicles 21:4-6. His marriage to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, introduced Baal worship into Judah, leading to spiritual decline. This phrase highlights the biblical theme of the consequences of turning away from God, as Jehoram's reign resulted in divine judgment and national turmoil. The transition also serves as a reminder of the importance of godly leadership and the impact of personal choices on a nation's spiritual health.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JehoshaphatA king of Judah known for his faithfulness to God and efforts to rid the land of idolatry. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity due to his reliance on God.
2.
JehoramThe son of Jehoshaphat who succeeded him as king. His reign was characterized by a departure from his father's godly ways, leading to turmoil and judgment upon Judah.
3.
City of DavidAlso known as Jerusalem, this is the historic and spiritual center of Israel, where the kings of Judah were traditionally buried.
4.
Rested with his fathersA Hebrew idiom indicating death, often used to denote a peaceful passing and burial in the family tomb.
5.
Reigned in his placeThis phrase marks the transition of power from one king to another, a common occurrence in the historical accounts of the Old Testament.
Teaching Points
Legacy of FaithfulnessJehoshaphat's life reminds us of the importance of leaving a legacy of faithfulness to God. Our actions and decisions can have lasting impacts on future generations.
Consequences of Leadership ChoicesJehoram's reign illustrates how a leader's choices can lead a nation away from God. It serves as a warning to seek God's wisdom in leadership.
The Importance of Spiritual HeritageThe burial in the City of David signifies the importance of spiritual heritage and continuity. We should strive to honor and preserve our spiritual heritage.
Transition and ChangeThe transition from Jehoshaphat to Jehoram highlights the inevitability of change and the need for preparedness and faithfulness during such times.
God's Sovereignty in LeadershipDespite human failures, God's sovereign plan continues. We can trust that God is in control, even when leadership fails.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 21:1?
2.How does 2 Chronicles 21:1 reflect the importance of family legacy in faith?
3.What lessons can we learn from Jehoshaphat's reign for our spiritual leadership?
4.How does Jehoshaphat's burial "in the city of David" signify God's covenant promises?
5.In what ways can we ensure our actions honor God like Jehoshaphat's legacy?
6.How does Jehoshaphat's transition of power relate to biblical principles of godly succession?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 21:1 reflect the consequences of Jehoshaphat's actions on his descendants?
8.What does Jehoram's succession in 2 Chronicles 21:1 reveal about biblical views on leadership and legacy?
9.How does 2 Chronicles 21:1 challenge the belief in divine justice and retribution?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 21?
11.Why did Elijah write to King Jehoram?
12.In 2 Kings 8:16–19, how does Jehoram’s reign fit with other biblical accounts that describe conflicting details about Judah’s kings?
13.How do we reconcile the timeline of Jehoram’s reign in 2 Chronicles 21 with other biblical records regarding the succession of Judah’s kings?
14.Who incited David to take a census? (2 Samuel 24:1 vs. 1 Chronicles 21:1)What Does 2 Chronicles 21:1 Mean
Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers• Scripture presents death for God’s faithful as “rest” (2 Chronicles 14:1;1 Thessalonians 4:13), underscoring confidence that earthly labor is complete and the believer is safe in the Lord’s keeping.
• The chronicler records this event exactly as it happened (1 Kings 22:50), showing the reliability of the historical narrative.
• By linking Jehoshaphat with “his fathers,” the text places him within the ongoing covenant community—a reminder that God’s promises to David’s house continue unbroken (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
was buried with them in the City of David• Burial in Jerusalem, the City of David (2 Chronicles 9:31), signals royal honor and covenant continuity.
• The physical tombs of the kings stood as tangible proof that God had established David’s line in a real place and time (Acts 2:29).
• Such honorable burial distinguishes Jehoshaphat from later rulers who were denied this privilege because of unfaithfulness (2 Chronicles 24:25; 28:27).
and his son Jehoram reigned in his place• Succession confirms God’s promise that a descendant of David would sit on the throne (2 Kings 8:16-19;Psalm 132:11-12).
• The phrase “in his place” stresses both continuity and accountability—Jehoram inherited not only a crown but the duty to walk in his father’s godly footsteps (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).
• Tragically,2 Chronicles 21:6-7 reveals that Jehoram chose a different path, illustrating how disobedience can squander a good heritage (Galatians 6:7-8).
summary2 Chronicles 21:1 records a literal historical transition: Jehoshaphat’s faithful life comes to a peaceful end, he is honorably buried among David’s kings, and the throne passes to his son. Each detail reinforces God’s steadfast commitment to the Davidic covenant while reminding every reader that privilege brings responsibility to remain true to the Lord.
XXI.
(1)Now.--And.
Slept.--Lay down. The verse is literally the same as1Kings 22:50.
Verse 1. - The parallel for this verse is
1 Kings 22:50; and, with the exception of one word, it is an exact parallel. To understand the questions set in motion by the last clause of the verse, comparison must be made of
2 Kings 1:17;
2 Kings 3:1;
2 Kings 8:16. For anything that appears here, we should take for granted that Jehoram now first began to exercise any royal authority and enjoy any royal dignity. But the first of the just-quoted passages says Jehoram (of Israel) succeeded his wicked brother Ahaziah in the
second year of Jehoram (of Judah), son of Jehoshaphat. In the second of the above-quoted passages, however, we are told that the same Jehoram (of Israel) succeeded to the throne in the
eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, which date tallies with our parallel of last chapter (
1 Kings 22:41), to the effect that Jehoshaphat himself began to reign in Ahab's fourth year, and Ahaziah in Jeho-saphat's seventeenth year. While, lastly, the third of the above-quoted references says that in the fifth year of Joram (of Israel), "Jehoshaphat being then King of Judah" (which, however, is itself an unfaithful rendering of what must be a corrupt text), his son Jehoram "began to reign." It has therefore been conjectured that the royal name was given Jehoram (of Judah) by his father in his father's sixteenth year, and that in his twenty-third year he further invested him with some royal power (our ver. 3 gives some plausibility to this conjecture), from which last date Jehoram's "eight years" (
2 Kings 8:17;
2 Chronicles 21:5, 20) must be reckoned; this was not less than two years before the death of Jehoshaphat. Were it not for the countenance that our third verse (describing the cut-and-dried arrangements that the father made for his sons) gives to the tenableness of the above conjectures, we should prefer the conjecture that the passages commented upon are so much corrupt text.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then Jehoshaphatיְהֽוֹשָׁפָט֙(yə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3092:Jehoshaphat -- 'the LORD has judged', the name of a number of Israelitesrestedוַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב(way·yiš·kaḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901:To lie downwithעִם־(‘im-)Preposition
Strong's 5973:With, equally withhis fathersאֲבֹתָ֔יו(’ă·ḇō·ṯāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1:Fatherand was buriedוַיִּקָּבֵ֥ר(way·yiq·qā·ḇêr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6912:To interwithעִם־(‘im-)Preposition
Strong's 5973:With, equally with[them]אֲבֹתָ֖יו(’ă·ḇō·ṯāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1:Fatherin the Cityבְּעִ֣יר(bə·‘îr)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892:Excitementof David.דָּוִ֑יד(dā·wîḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of JesseAnd his sonבְּנ֖וֹ(bə·nōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A sonJehoramיְהוֹרָ֥ם(yə·hō·w·rām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3088:Jehoram -- 'the LORD is exalted', the name of several Israelitesbecame kingוַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ(way·yim·lōḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427:To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counselin his place.תַּחְתָּֽיו׃(taḥ·tāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu of
Links
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OT History: 2 Chronicles 21:1 Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)