Too Much

2 Chronicles 21-22

            Just when we start to think that the Chronicler will do anything to minimize the defects of the descendants of David, along comes Jehoram and Ahaziah. The Chronicler finds nothing redeemable in them. Jehoram murders his brothers to secure his power. He marries into the house of Ahab and follows the idolatrous ways of that wicked house. His wickedness stands out so much that Elijah, surely near the end of his life, sends a letter threatening the Lord’s punishment. He’s not even buried with his fathers.

            Ahaziah becomes king because there is no one else left; he’s the only surviving son of Jehoram. He is, apparently, a grandson of Ahab, and he surrounds himself with advisors from that administration. Chronicles hasn’t much to say about him except that he was swept up in the revolt of Jehu and explicitly links his death to his assistance of Ahaziah, son of Ahab. So much for the charge that the Chronicler whitewashes the Judean kings’ faults!