2 Chronicles 21: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 2 Chronicles 21 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

2 Chronicles 21 recounts the reign of Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, who ruled over Judah. Following the death of his father, Jehoram established his reign by killing his brothers and some of the leaders of Israel, showcasing a tragic descent into tyranny and moral corruption. Throughout his rule, Jehoram turned away from the ways of the Lord and adopted the practices of the nations around him, leading to a spiritual decline in the nation. His marriage to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, further entrenched idolatry in Judah as he built high places for Baal and led the people astray from worshipping Yahweh.

Key verse

“Yahweh stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians who are beside the Ethiopians; and they came up against Judah, broke into it, and carried away all the posessions that were found in the king’s house, including his sons and his wives; so that there was no son left him, except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.”
2 Chronicles 21:16-17 (WEB)

Outline

2 Chronicles 21:1–3 Jehoram's Ascension to Power
2 Chronicles 21:4–6 Corruption and Idolatry
2 Chronicles 21:7–10 Divine Judgment Foretold
2 Chronicles 21:11–15 Prophetic Warning from Elijah
2 Chronicles 21:16–19 Judgment and Death of Jehoram
2 Chronicles 21:20 Legacy of Jehoram

Discussion questions

In v4, what act does Jehoram commit against his brothers?
What does Jehoram build in v11 that leads Judah astray?
Elijah's letter in vv. 12-15 warns Jehoram of what specific consequences?
In v19, why do his people make no burning for him like his fathers?
When have you seen someone’s poor choices lead to harm for their family or community?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 2 Chronicles 21: 2 Chronicles 22, 2 Kings 8, 1 Kings 11.

Before next time: read 2 Chronicles 22.