Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Chronicles 21:2-4

"And he had brethren, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. And their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the first-born. Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel." — 2 Chronicles 21:2-4 (ASV)

REIGN OF JEHORAM (2 Chronicles 21:2–18).

THE NEW KING MURDERS HIS SIX BROTHERS (2 Chronicles 21:2–4).

Azariah ... and Azariah. —Hebrew ‘Azaryâh ... and Azaryâhû, are different forms of the same name. All the versions give one form only. An old error of transcription may be involved (compare 1 Chronicles 3:6; 1 Chronicles 3:8); but it is also possible that Jehoshaphat named two of his sons Azariah, “Iah helps,” in pious recognition of two separate mercies. Shephatiah, “Iah judges,” repeats his own name in inverted shape.

The other names are—“God lives,” “Iah remembers,” “Who is like God?”—all significant of the king’s faith.

Jehoshaphat king of Israel. —The southern kingdom is called “Israel” in 2 Chronicles 12:1; 2 Chronicles 12:6; 2 Chronicles 21:4; 2 Chronicles 28:19; 2 Chronicles 28:27, and elsewhere, as enjoying the legitimate monarchy and maintaining the orthodox ritual and priesthood. Here, however, some Hebrew manuscripts, the Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, and Arabic, read “Judah.”

And their father gave them great gifts. —Jehoshaphat before his death had provided for his sons, as Rehoboam before him had done for his own sons, by appointing them resident governors of the national fortresses and sending them away with valuable presents (2 Chronicles 11:23).

Of silver, and of gold. —The preposition (le) belongs to the chronicler’s style.

Precious things (migdônôth; Genesis 24:53)—Such as jewels, robes, and spices.

Because he was the firstborn. —This was the rule. (Compare Deuteronomy 21:15-17.) For exceptions, see 1 Chronicles 28:5; 2 Chronicles 11:22; 2 Chronicles 36:1.

Now when Jehoram rose to the kingdom of his father. —Literally, And Jehoram arose over the kingdom, etc., a peculiar expression, only found here. It seems to mean, established himself on the throne. (See Exodus 1:8 for a similar phrase, and compare the use of the same verb, 1 Samuel 24:20.)

He strengthened himself. —He secured his hold on power (2 Chronicles 1:1; 2 Chronicles 1:12, etc.).

And slew all his brethren. —He did this to prevent intrigues against himself. Such ruthless crimes have been customary during Oriental accessions and are one of the natural results of polygamy. (Compare the conduct of Abimelech (Judges 9:5) and of Athaliah (2 Chronicles 22:10)). This was how Jehoram “strengthened himself.”

And divers also of the princes of Israel. —These were some of the great chiefs of the clans, whose power or sympathy with his murdered brothers Jehoram may have dreaded. Or, like other Oriental despots, Jehoram may have acted from no other motive than a rapacious desire to confiscate their wealth. Some suppose that both his brothers and these “princes” had shown signs of dissatisfaction with Jehoram and Athaliah’s heathen policy. (Compare 2 Chronicles 21:13, thy brethren ... which were better than thyself.)