Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 3
Joram was the last king from Ahab’s family who ruled over northern and central Israel. He is also called Jehoram. One of the kings of Judah during his rule also had the same name (8:16-24).
Even before Joram’s rule began, God had already declared the punishment of Ahab’s whole family (1 Kings 21:20-24). God would bring about the end of that family’s rule and they would all die. God also told Elijah that this punishment would happen during the rule of Ahab’s son (1 Kings 21:29). That son was Joram.
God had even chosen the king who would rule after Joram. His name was Jehu (1 Kings 19:16). Jehu began his rule 12 years after the start of Joram’s rule, when he killed Joram (9:14-26).
Unlike the other members of his family, Joram did not choose to serve the false god Baal. Although he himself was an evil man, he opposed that wicked religion. He did not destroy the great temple (sacred building) that his father Ahab had built in Samaria for Baal (10:20-27). Nor did he destroy the sacred stone, which was its most important object (10:27) – however, he removed it, perhaps into a private room at the temple.
Joram’s own religion was the religion that Jeroboam had established (1 Kings 12:28-33). So, probably, Joram considered that he was serving the true God. However, he prayed in front of gold images of young oxen, strong farm animals. He did not therefore consider it necessary to obey God’s law in matters of religion (Deuteronomy 4:15-24).
Next part: Moab's king refuses to accept Joram's authority (2 Kings 3:4-6)
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