Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
2 Chronicles Ch.21 / 36 Ch.s
2CH:21
* The wicked reign of Jehoram. (1-11) Jehoram's miserable end.
(12-20)
#1-11 Jehoram hated his brethren, and slew them, for the same
reason that Cain hated Abel, and slew him, because their piety
condemned his impiety. In the mystery of Providence such men
sometimes prosper for a time; but the Lord has righteous
purposes in permitting such events, part of which may now be
made out, and the rest will be seen hereafter.
#12-20 A warning from God was sent to Jehoram. The Spirit of
prophecy might direct Elijah to prepare this writing in the
foresight of Jehoram's crimes. He is plainly told that his sin
should certainly ruin him. But no marvel that sinners are not
frightened from sin, and to repentance, by the threatenings of
misery in another world, when the certainty of misery in this
world, the sinking of their estates, and the ruin of their
health, will not restrain them from vicious courses. See Jehoram
here stripped of all his comforts. Thus God plainly showed that
the controversy was with him, and his house. He had slain all
his brethren to strengthen himself; now, all his sons are slain
but one. David's house must not be wholly destroyed, like those
of Israel's kings, because a blessing was in it; that of the
Messiah. Good men may be afflicted with diseases; but to them
they are fatherly chastisements, and by the support of Divine
consolations the soul may dwell at ease, even when the body lies
in pain. To be sick and poor, sick and solitary, but especially
to be sick and in sin, sick and under the curse of God, sick and
without grace to bear it, is a most deplorable case. Wickedness
and profaneness make men despicable, even in the eyes of those
who have but little religion.