Jehoram

JEHORAM, the name of two kings in the Bible (also JoRAm).

I. The son of Ahab, and king of Israel in succession to his brother Ahaziah. He maintained close relations with Judah, whose king seems to have recognised his suzerainty, and came to his help against Moab, who had revolted (II Kings. i. 1, iii.). The result of the campaign seems to have been a defeat for Israel. Together with Ahaziah, king of Judah, he endeavoured to recover Ramoth Gilead from Hazael, king of Syria. He was wounded in the fight ing round that town, and during his absence a revolution was fomented by the prophetic party (always hostile to the house of Omri), and Jehu seized the throne, putting to death Jehoram, his mother Jezebel, his nephew Ahaziah, king of Judah, all the living members of Ahab's family, and large numbers of the Baeal party.

These events seem to have occurred in or about the year 841 B.C.

2.

Son of Jehoshaphat and king of Judah. He married Athaliah, daughter of Ahab, and was thus brother-in-law of 1. above, and contemporary with him. In his days Edom and Libnah revolted (II Kings viii. 2o-22), perhaps in concert with one another. The Chronicler (II Chron. xxi. i–xxii. i) adds many details: on ascending the throne he massacred his brethren, was condemned to death from disease by Elijah, and was utterly defeated by a great invasion of Philistines and Arabians. He died a year before his namesake of Israel, i.e. probably in or about 842 B.c.