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.
Jehoshaphat secured the kingdom to his firstborn out of paternal kindness, portioning his better brothers so they would not trouble him, but indulgence breeds ingratitude, not duty. Whether he served his people well by putting an unfit man on the throne when others were hopeful and wise, I cannot say; the welfare of the people must be the first law.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Chronicles 21:1-11
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father,.... Succeeded him in it, and reigned alone, for he had reigned with his father some years before his death; see Gill on Kg2 8:16, he strengthened himself; in the kingdom, by some means or another closely attaching the greater part of the princes, and people of the land, unto him, when he thought...
The kingdom gave he to Jehoram - He made him co-partner with himself in the kingdom about three years before his death; so that he reigned only five years after the death of his father Jehoshaphat. See the notes on Kg2 8:16, etc.; and on the same, Ch2 1:17, where an attempt is made to settle this disturbed chronology.