November 29, 2025

Jehoshaphat handed the kingdom to his firstborn son, Jehoram, before he died. He had other sons who would have been a better choice because they were holier than he was, but he gave them cities, silver, and gold for their inheritance. However, after Jehoshaphat passed away, Jehoram killed all his brothers. He was probably protecting his throne so none of them would try to overtake him. Jehoram was not a good king like his father, Jehoshaphat, and his grandfather, Asa, and the people didn’t like him. It makes perfect sense that he turned out the way he did since he was married to Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter, Athaliah. Elijah had passed a letter on to him before he was translated into heaven, telling him that all his family would be killed, his people would die of disease, the goods in his house would be taken away, and he would die because disease would cause his bowels to fall out. Everything Elijah told him came true. He reigned for only eight years. God saved one of his sons to keep the Davidic line reigning over the kingdom. Given that information, we know now that Ahab and Jezebel were in the lineage of Jesus through Athaliah and Jehoram. Jesus is the prime example of how you can overcome your lineage. 

The lesson is not to allow fear to overtake you to the point that you undermine your own life. Relax and let God handle the details so you can live in peace knowing that nothing happens unless God allows it. Could fear have been the issue with Jehoram’s bowel health? It’s possible; that’s why we need to let it go and trust God.

And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day. 2 Chronicles 21:15