2 Chronicles 21:4-20
He departed with no one’s regret… (v. 20b)
What will it say on your tombstone? Groucho Marx’s says politely: “Excuse me, I can’t stand up.” Mel Blanc, the voice of Porky Pig, has “That’s all folks” on his grave. And then there’s Jeremiah Johnson whose tombstone says ruefully, “I told you I was sick.” These epitaph’s are playful. Jehoram’s is pathetic.
Jehoram was a terrible king, rebuked by the prophet in a letter (vv.12-15). To paraphrase: “Dear Jehoram. You are lousy king. You are a disobedient, prostituting, murderous villain. Too bad you killed your brothers, they were much better than you. Therefore, the Lord is going to punish you, your people, and your family, and everything you own. P.S. You will have dysentery for the rest of your life. Yours truly, Elijah.”
Jehoram’s life is a tragic example of the deceitfulness of sin. He went his own way and everything he touched turned to clay, unraveling the accomplishments of his fathers.
When he died there was no fire in his honor and no burial in the tomb of the kings, only this biting epitaph: “He passed away, to no one’s regret” (v. 20). Jehoram had position, privilege, power, and prestige and he squandered it all. He is the prodigal son that never came home. May his story never be your own.
