mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 21.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.xxii" n="xxii" next="iiCh.xxiii" prev="iiCh.xxi" progress="84.32%" title="Chapter XXI">
<h2 id="iiCh.xxii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.xxii-p0.2">CHAP. XXI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.xxii-p1">Never surely did any kingdom change its king so
much for the worse as Judah did, when Jehoram, one of the vilest,
succeeded Jehoshaphat, one of the best. Thus were they punished for
not making a better use of Jehoshaphat's good government, and their
disaffectedness (or coldness at least) to his reformation,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.33" parsed="|2Chr|20|33|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:33"><i>ch.</i> xx. 33</scripRef>. Those
that knew not now to value a good king are justly plagued with a
bad one. Here is, I. Jehoram's elevation to the throne, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.1-2Chr.21.3" parsed="|2Chr|21|1|21|3" passage="2Ch 21:1-3">ver. 1-3</scripRef>. II. The wicked course he
took to establish himself in it, by the murder of his brethren,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.4" parsed="|2Chr|21|4|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:4">ver. 4</scripRef>. III. The idolatries
and other wickedness he was guilty of, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.5-2Chr.21.6 Bible:2Chr.21.11" parsed="|2Chr|21|5|21|6;|2Chr|21|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:5,6,11">ver. 5, 6, 11</scripRef>. IV. The prophecy of
Elijah against him, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.12-2Chr.21.15" parsed="|2Chr|21|12|21|15" passage="2Ch 21:12-15">ver.
12-15</scripRef>. V. The judgments of God upon him, in the revolt
of his subjects from him (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.8-2Chr.21.10" parsed="|2Chr|21|8|21|10" passage="2Ch 21:8-10">ver.
8-10</scripRef>) and the success of his enemies against him,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.16-2Chr.21.17" parsed="|2Chr|21|16|21|17" passage="2Ch 21:16,17">ver. 16, 17</scripRef>. VI. His
miserable sickness and inglorious exit, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.18-2Chr.21.20" parsed="|2Chr|21|18|21|20" passage="2Ch 21:18-20">ver. 18-20</scripRef>. VII. The preservation of the
house of David notwithstanding, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.7" parsed="|2Chr|21|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:7">ver.
7</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xxii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21" parsed="|2Chr|21|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 21" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xxii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.1-2Chr.21.11" parsed="|2Chr|21|1|21|11" passage="2Ch 21:1-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.21.1-2Chr.21.11">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxii-p1.12">Jehoram's Wicked Reign. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p1.13">b. c.</span> 889.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxii-p2">1 Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and
was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his
son reigned in his stead.   2 And he had brethren the sons of
Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and
Michael, and Shephatiah: all these <i>were</i> the sons of
Jehoshaphat king of Israel.   3 And their father gave them
great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with
fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because
he <i>was</i> the firstborn.   4 Now when Jehoram was risen up
to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all
his brethren with the sword, and <i>divers</i> also of the princes
of Israel.   5 Jehoram <i>was</i> thirty and two years old
when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
  6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as
did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and
he wrought <i>that which was</i> evil in the eyes of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p2.1">Lord</span>.   7 Howbeit the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p2.2">Lord</span> would not destroy the house of David,
because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he
promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.   8
In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah,
and made themselves a king.   9 Then Jehoram went forth with
his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by
night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the
captains of the chariots.   10 So the Edomites revolted from
under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time <i>also</i>
did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p2.3">Lord</span> God of his fathers.   11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused
the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled
Judah <i>thereto.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p3">We find here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p4">I. That Jehoshaphat was a very careful
indulgent father to Jehoram. He had many sons, who are here named
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.2" parsed="|2Chr|21|2|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), and it is
said (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.13" parsed="|2Chr|21|13|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>) that
they were better than Jehoram, had a great deal more wisdom and
virtue, and lived up to their education, which he went counter to.
They were very hopeful, and any of them more fit for the crown than
he; and yet, because he was the first-born (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.3" parsed="|2Chr|21|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), his father secured the kingdom
to him, and portioned his brethren and disposed of them so as that
they would be easy and give him no disturbance; as Abraham, when he
made Isaac his heir, dismissed his other children with gifts.
Herein Jehoshaphat was very kind and fair to his son, which might
have obliged him to be respectful to him, and tread in the steps of
so good a father. But it is no new thing for the children that have
been most indulged by their parents to be least dutiful to them.
Whether in doing this he acted wisely and well for his people, and
was just to them, I cannot say. His birthright entitled him to a
double portion of his father's estate, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.21.171" parsed="|Deut|21|171|0|0" passage="De 21:171">Deut. xxi. 17</scripRef>. But if he appeared utterly
unfit for government (the end of which is the good of the people),
and likely to undo all that his father had done, it would have been
better perhaps to have set him aside, and taken the next that was
hopeful, and not inclined as he was to idolatry. Power is a sacred
thing, with which men may either do much good or much hurt; and
therefore <i>Detur digniori</i>—<i>Let him that deserves it have
it. Salus populi suprema lex</i>—<i>The security of the people is
the first consideration.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p5">II. That Jehoram was a most barbarous
brother to his father's sons. As soon as he had settled himself in
the throne he slew all his brethren with the sword, either by false
accusation, under colour of law, or rather by assassination. By
some wicked hand or other he got them all murdered, pretending (it
is likely) that he could not think himself safe in the government
till they were taken out of the way. Those that mean ill themselves
are commonly, without cause, jealous of those about them. The
wicked fear where no fear is, or pretend to do so, in order to
conceal their malice. Jehoram, it is likely, hated his brethren and
slew them for the same reason that Cain hated Abel and slew him,
because their piety condemned his impiety and won them that esteem
with the people which he had lost. With them he slew divers of the
princes of Israel, who adhered to them, or were likely to avenge
their death. The princes of Judah, those who had taught the good
knowledge of the Lord (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.7" parsed="|2Chr|17|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:7"><i>ch.</i>
xvii. 7</scripRef>), are here called princes of Israel, as before
<i>fathers of Israel</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.8" parsed="|2Chr|19|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:8"><i>ch.</i>
xix. 8</scripRef>), because they were Israelites indeed, men of
integrity. The sword which the good father had put into their hands
this wicked son sheathed in their bowels. Woe unto him that thus
<i>foundeth a kingdom in blood</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Hab.2.12" parsed="|Hab|2|12|0|0" passage="Hab 2:12">Hab. ii. 12</scripRef>); it will prove a foundation that
will sink the superstructure.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p6">III. That Jehoram was a most wicked king,
who corrupted and debauched his kingdom, and ruined the reformation
that his good father and grandfather had carried on: He <i>walked
in the way of the house of Ahab</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.6" parsed="|2Chr|21|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), made high places, which the
people were of themselves too forward to make, and did his utmost
to set up idolatry again, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.11" parsed="|2Chr|21|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. 1. As for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, where he
kept his court, he easily drew them into his spiritual whoredom: He
<i>caused them to commit fornication,</i> seducing them <i>to eat
things sacrificed to idols,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.2.20" parsed="|Rev|2|20|0|0" passage="Re 2:20">Rev.
ii. 20</scripRef>. 2. The country people seem to have been brought
to it with more difficulty; but those that would not be corrupted
by flatteries were driven by force to partake in his abominable
idolatries: He <i>compelled Judah thereto.</i> He used that power
for the destruction of the church which was given him for the
edification of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p7">IV. That when he forsook God and his
worship his subjects withdrew from their allegiance to him. 1. Some
of the provinces abroad that were tributaries to him did so. The
Edomites revolted (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.8" parsed="|2Chr|21|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>), and, though he chastised them (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.9" parsed="|2Chr|21|9|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), yet he could not reduce them,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.10" parsed="|2Chr|21|10|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. 2. One of
the cities of his own kingdom did so. Libnah revolted (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.10" parsed="|2Chr|21|10|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) and set up for a free
state, as of old it had a king of its own, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.12.15" parsed="|Josh|12|15|0|0" passage="Jos 12:15">Josh. xii. 15</scripRef>. And the reason is here given,
not only why God permitted it, but why they did it; they shook off
his government because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers,
had become an idolater and a worshipper of false gods, and they
could not continue subject to him without some danger of being
themselves also drawn away from God and their duty. While he
adhered to God they adhered to him; but, when he cast God off, they
cast him off. Whether this reason will justify them in their revolt
of no, it will justify God's providence which ordered it so.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p8">V. That yet God was tender of his covenant
with the house of David, and therefore would not destroy the royal
family, though it was so wretchedly corrupted and degenerated,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.7" parsed="|2Chr|21|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. These things
we had before, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.8.19-2Kgs.8.22" parsed="|2Kgs|8|19|8|22" passage="2Ki 8:19-22">2 Kings viii.
19-22</scripRef>. The tenour of the covenant was that David's seed
should be visited for their transgressions, but the covenant should
never be broken, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.89.30-Ps.89.37" parsed="|Ps|89|30|89|37" passage="Ps 89:30-37">Ps. lxxxix.
30</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xxii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.12-2Chr.21.20" parsed="|2Chr|21|12|21|20" passage="2Ch 21:12-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.21.12-2Chr.21.20">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxii-p8.5">Jehoram's Miserable End. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p8.6">b. c.</span> 884.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxii-p9">12 And there came a writing to him from Elijah
the prophet, saying, Thus saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p9.1">Lord</span> God of David thy father, Because thou hast
not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways
of Asa king of Judah,   13 But hast walked in the way of the
kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of
Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house,
<i>which were</i> better than thyself:   14 Behold, with a
great plague will the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p9.2">Lord</span> smite thy
people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:  
15 And thou <i>shalt have</i> great sickness by disease of thy
bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by
day.   16 Moreover the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p9.3">Lord</span>
stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of
the Arabians, that <i>were</i> near the Ethiopians:   17 And
they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all
the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons
also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save
Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.   18 And after all this
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxii-p9.4">Lord</span> smote him in his bowels
with an incurable disease.   19 And it came to pass, that in
process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by
reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people
made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.   20
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he
reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being
desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in
the sepulchres of the kings.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p10">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 (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.3.11" parsed="|2Kgs|3|11|0|0" passage="2Ki 3:11">2 Kings iii. 11</scripRef>); 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 out of its proper place,
for we read of Jehoshaphat's death, and Jehoram's coming to the
crown, before we read of Elijah's translation, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.22.50" parsed="|1Kgs|22|50|0|0" passage="1Ki 22:50">1 Kings xxii. 50</scripRef>. We will suppose that the
time of his departure was at hand, so that he could not go in
person to Jehoram; but that, hearing of his great wickedness in
murdering his brethren, he left this writing it is probable with
Elisha, to be sent him by the first opportunity, that it might
either be a means to reclaim him or a witness against him that he
was fairly told what would be in the end hereof. The message is
sent him in the name of <i>the Lord God of David his father</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.12" parsed="|2Chr|21|12|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), upbraiding
him with his relation to David as that which, though it was his
honour, was an aggravation of his degeneracy. 1. His crimes are
plainly charged upon him—his departure from the good ways of God,
in which he had been educated, and which he had been directed and
encouraged to walk in by the example of his good father and
grandfather, who lived and died in peace and honour (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.12" parsed="|2Chr|21|12|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>)—his conformity to
the ways of the house of Ahab, that impious scandalous family—his
setting up and enforcing idolatry in his kingdom—and his murdering
his brethren because they were better than himself, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.13" parsed="|2Chr|21|13|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. These are the heads of
the indictment against him. 2. Judgment is given against him for
these crimes; he is plainly told that his sin should certainly be
the ruin, (1.) Of his kingdom and family (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.14" parsed="|2Chr|21|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): "With a heavy stroke, even
that of war and captivity, <i>will the Lord smite thy people and
thy children,</i>" &amp;c. Bad men bring God's judgments upon all
about them. His people justly suffer because they had complied with
his idolatry, and his wives because they had drawn him to it. (2.)
Of his health and life: "Thou shalt have great sickness, very
painful and tedious, and at last mortal," <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.15" parsed="|2Chr|21|15|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. This he is warned of before,
that his blood might be upon his own head, the watchman having
delivered his soul; and that when these things so particularly
foretold, came to pass, it might appear that they did not come by
chance, but as the punishment of his sins, and were so intended.
And now if, as he had learned of Ahab to do wickedly, he had but
learned even of Ahab to humble himself upon the receipt of this
threatening message from Elijah—if, like (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.21.27" parsed="|1Kgs|21|27|0|0" passage="1Ki 21:27">1 Kings xxi. 27</scripRef>), he had <i>rent his
clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted</i>—who knows but, like him,
he might have obtained at least a reprieve? But it does not appear
that he took any notice of it; he threw it by as waste-paper;
Elijah seemed to him <i>as one that mocked.</i> But those that will
not believe shall feel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p11">II. The threatened judgments brought upon
him because he slighted the warning. No marvel that hardened
sinners are not frightened from sin and to repentance by the
threatenings of misery in another world, which is future and out of
sight, when the certain prospect of misery in this world, the
sinking of their estates and the ruin of their healths, will not
restrain them from vicious courses.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p12">1. See Jehoram here stripped of all his
comforts. God <i>stirred up the spirit of his neighbours</i>
against him, who had loved and feared Jehoshaphat, but hated and
despised him, looking upon it as a scandalous thing for a nation to
change their gods. Some occasion or other they took to quarrel with
him, invaded his country, but, as it should seem, fought neither
against small nor great, but the king's house only; they made
directly to that, and <i>carried away all the substance that was
found in it.</i> No mention is made of their carrying any away
captive but the <i>king's wives</i> and <i>his sons,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.17" parsed="|2Chr|21|17|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. Thus God made it
evident that the controversy was with him and his house. Here it is
only said, They <i>carried away</i> his sons; but we find
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.22.1" parsed="|2Chr|22|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 22:1"><i>ch.</i> xxii. 1</scripRef>) that
they <i>slew them all.</i> Blood for blood. He had slain all his
brethren, to strengthen himself; and now all his sons are slain but
one, and so he is weakened. If he had not been of the house of
David, that one would not have escaped. When Jeroboam's house, and
Baasha's, and Ahab's, were destroyed, there was none left; but
David's house must not be wholly extirpated, though sometimes
wretchedly degenerated, because a blessing was in it, no less a
blessing than that of the Messiah.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p13">2. See him tormented with <i>sore diseases
and of long continuance,</i> such as were threatened in the law
against those that would not <i>fear the Lord their God,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.28.58-Deut.28.59" parsed="|Deut|28|58|28|59" passage="De 28:58,59">Deut. xxviii. 58, 59</scripRef>.
His disease was very grievous. It lay in his bowels, producing a
continual griping, and with this there was a complication of other
sore diseases. The affliction was moreover very tedious. Two years
he continued ill, and could get no relief; for the disease was
incurable, though he was in the prime of life, not forty years old.
Asa, whose heart was perfect with God though in some instances he
stepped aside, was diseased only in his feet; but Jehoram, whose
heart was wicked, was struck in his inwards, and he that had no
bowels of compassion towards his brethren was so plagued in his
bowels that they fell out. Even good men, and those who are very
dear to God, may be afflicted with diseases of this kind; but to
them they are fatherly chastisements, and by the support of divine
consolations the soul may dwell at ease even then when the body
lies in pain. These sore diseases seized him just after his house
was plundered and his wives and children were carried away. (1.)
Perhaps his grief and anguish of mind for that calamity might
occasion his sickness, or at least contribute to the heightening of
it. (2.) By this sickness he was disabled to do any thing for the
recovery of them or the revenge of the injury done him. (3.) It
added, no doubt, very much to his grief, in his sickness, that he
was deprived of the society of his wives and children and that all
the substance of his house was carried away. 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 destitute of grace to bear the
affliction, and of comfort to counter-balance it—is a most
deplorable case.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxii-p14">3. See him buried in disgrace. He reigned
but eight years, and then <i>departed without being desired,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.20" parsed="|2Chr|21|20|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. Nobody
valued him while he lived, none lamented him when he died, but all
wished that no greater loss might ever come to Jerusalem. To show
what little affection or respect they had for him, they would not
<i>bury him in the sepulchres of the kings,</i> as thinking him
unworthy to be numbered among them who had governed so ill. The
excluding of his body from the sepulchres of his fathers might be
ordered by Providence as an intimation of the everlasting
separation of the souls of the wicked after death, from the spirits
of just men. This further disgrace they put upon him, that they
<i>made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.21.19" parsed="|2Chr|21|19|0|0" passage="2Ch 21:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. His memory
was far from being sweet and precious to them, and therefore they
did not honour it with any sweet odours or precious spices, though
we may suppose that his dead body, after so long and loathsome a
disease, needed something to perfume it. The generality of the
people, though prone to idolatry, yet had no true kindness for
their idolatrous kings. Wickedness and profaneness make men
despicable even in the eyes of those who have but little religion
themselves, while natural conscience itself often gives honour to
those who are truly pious. Those that <i>despise God shall be
lightly esteemed,</i> as Jehoram was.</p>
</div></div2>