Jehoram was a terrible king. One of the first things he did when he came to the throne was to execute his brothers and some of his relatives for political purposes because they made him feel threatened. Even more outrageous was the fact that Jehoram built high places on the hills of Judah to entice the people to worship idols.

Jehoshaphat, Jehoram 's father, could be described as a good king who loved God. But he seems to have had a weakness for ignoring important principles in order to preserve peace, which sometimes had very serious consequences. At Ahab's request, he agreed to attack Ramoth Gilead (2 Chron. 18:3, 4). Then he joined forces with Ahaziah, king of Israel, to establish a merchant fleet (2 Chron 20:25, 26). The worst thing he did was to marry his son to Ahab's daughter, even though he knew full well that Ahab was an evil king.

If we go back to 2 Chronicles 18:1, Jehoram was married to Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab, long before he ascended the throne. We know that Athaliah was a very wicked woman, just like her parents Ahab and Jezebel. In 2 Chronicles 22:10, we see that Athaliah tried to murder members of the royal family out of her ambition for power.

It is puzzling why Jehoshaphat facilitated the marriage of Jehoram and Athaliah, knowing that Ahab was an evil king. Of course, political stability and human relationships are so intricate that many decisions are not easily explained. However, as the saying goes, “We are influenced by the company you keep.” Jehoshaphat did make a big mistake by allowing Jehoram to marry Ahab's daughter, Athaliah.

Despite Jehoram's guilt, we can still see God's mercy at work. God had warned him many times, first of the rebellion of the Edomites and the people of Libnah (2 Chron 21:8,9), then of Elijah's warning letter (2 Chron 21:12-15), then of the invasion of the Philistines and Arabs, and of the captivity of his son, wife and his concubine (2 Chron 21:16,17). There was even his subsequent incurable illness (2 Chron 21:18). None of this seems to have changed Joram's mind.

Brothers and sisters, God only wants us to confess our sins and repent! As long as Jehoram confessed his sins and repented in God's warning, he would not have ended up in such a dire situation. Often, when we make mistakes, we start by blaming and complaining about others, forgetting that God just wants us to acknowledge our wrongs and turn back to Him. The tragedy of Jehoram teaches us that rejecting God's warnings will only bring more pain and consequences.

Reflection: Has God warned us in various ways in our lives?

Loving Father, let us hear your warnings and lead us to repentance. Help us to recognize your mercy and to return to you in every call. May we trust in your guidance and walk humbly in your ways. Pray in Jesus' name. Amen.