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.
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
Jehoram was thirty two years old,.... Of these verses; see Gill on Kg2 8:17, Kg2 8:18, Kg2 8:19, Kg2 8:20, Kg2 8:21, Kg2 8:22 2 Chronicles 21:11 ch2 21:11 ch2 21:11 ch2 21:11Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of 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. (b) Because the wicked always live 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. (c) Meaning, of Judah and Benjamin.