2 Kings 8:16-24

International Children’s Bible

Jehoram King of Judah

¹⁶ Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. This was during Joram’s fifth year as king of Israel. Joram was the son of Ahab. ¹⁷ Jehoram was 32 years old when he began to rule. He ruled eight years in Jerusalem. ¹⁸ But Jehoram followed the ways of the kings of Israel. This was just as the family of Ahab had done. It was because Ahab’s daughter was Jehoram’s wife. Jehoram did what the Lord said was wrong. ¹⁹ But the Lord would not destroy Judah because of his servant David. The Lord had promised that David and his children would always have a kingdom.

²⁰ In Jehoram’s time Edom broke away from Judah’s rule. The people of Edom chose their own king. ²¹ So Jehoram and all his chariots went to Zair. At night the Edomites came around him and his chariot commanders. Jehoram got up and attacked the Edomites. But his army ran away to their tents. ²² So the Edomites broke away from the rule of Judah. And they are still separate today. At the same time Libnah also broke away from Judah’s rule.

²³ The other acts of Jehoram and all the things he did are written down. They are in the book of the history of the kings of Judah. ²⁴ Jehoram died and was buried with his ancestors in Jerusalem. Jehoram’s son Ahaziah ruled in his place.