2 Chronicles – Chapter 21

Old Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

2 Chronicles 21 opens with the words: "And Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David: and Joram his son reigned in his stead." The chapter centers on David, Ahab and Zechariah. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David: and Joram his son reigned in his stead.

2And he had brethren the sons of Josaphat, Azarias, and Jahiel, and Zacharias, and Azaria, and Michael, and Saphatias, all these were the sons of Josaphat king of Juda.

3And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and pensions, with strong cities in Juda: but the kingdom he gave to Joram, because he was the eldest.

4So Joram rose up over the kingdom of his father: and when he had established himself, he slew all his brethren with the sword, and some of the princes of Israel.

5Joram was two and thirty years old when he began to reign: and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

6And he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Achab had done: for his wife was a daughter of Achab, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord.

7But the Lord would not destroy the house of David: because of the covenant which he had made with him: and because he had promised to give a lamp to him, and to his sons for ever.

8In those days Edom revolted, from being subject to Juda, and made themselves a king.

9And Joram went over with his princes, and all his cavalry with him, and rose in the night, and defeated the Edomites who had surrounded him, and all the captains of his cavalry.

10However Edom revolted, from being under the dominion of Juda unto this day: at that time Lobna also revolted, from being under his hand. For he had forsaken the Lord the God of his fathers.

11Moreover he built also high places in the cities of Juda, and he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and Juda to transgress.

12And there was a letter brought him from Eliseus the prophet, in which it was written: Thus saith the Lord the God of David thy father: Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Josaphat thy father nor in the ways of Asa king of Juda,

13But hast walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and hast made Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, imitating the fornication of the house of Achab, moreover also thou hast killed thy brethren, the house of thy father, better men than thyself,

14Behold the Lord will strike thee with a great plague, with all thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance.

15And thou shalt be sick of a very grievous disease of thy bowels, till thy vital parts come out by little and little every day.

16And the Lord stirred up against Joram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, who border on the Ethiopians.

17And they came up into the land of Juda, and wasted it, and they carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, his sons also, and his wives: so that there was no son left him but Joachaz, who was the youngest.

18And besides all this the Lord struck him with an incurable disease in his bowels.

19And as day came after day, and time rolled on, two whole years passed: then after being wasted with a long consumption, so as to void his very bowels, his disease ended with his life. And he died of a most wretched illness, and the people did not make a funeral for him according to the manner of burning, as they had done for his ancestors.

20He was two and thirty years old when he began his reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked not rightly, and they buried him in the city of David: but not in the sepulchres of the kings.

Important Verses in 2 Chronicles 21

And Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David: and Joram his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles 21:1

But the Lord would not destroy the house of David: because of the covenant which he had made with him: and because he had promised to give a lamp to him, and to his sons for ever.

2 Chronicles 21:7

However Edom revolted, from being under the dominion of Juda unto this day: at that time Lobna also revolted, from being under his hand. For he had forsaken the Lord the God of his fathers.

2 Chronicles 21:10

And the Lord stirred up against Joram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, who border on the Ethiopians.

2 Chronicles 21:16

Historical Context

2 Chronicles addresses the restored community, urged to keep worship pure and hearts humble within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 21 of 36 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on David, Ahab, Zechariah and Elisha, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "And Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David: and Joram his son reigned in his…" The final verse reads: "He was two and thirty years old when he began his reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked not…" The wider setting of 2 Chronicles is this: Second Chronicles spans from Solomon's Temple to the decree of Cyrus allowing the exiles to return home. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler')

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

The prophet addresses Israel with a message rooted in covenant fidelity and the hope of restoration. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David: and Joram his son reigned in his stead." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Temple worship and Judah's kings. the Temple liturgy prefigures the Church's worship (CIC 1093). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2578).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

David4 mentionsAhab3 mentionsZechariah1 mentionElisha1 mentionMichael1 mentionAsa1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents 2 Chronicles Chapter 21 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the Temple liturgy prefigures the Church's worship (CIC 1093). The passage calls believers to grasp that True worship requires a pure heart.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 854) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Chronicles Chapter 21 about?

2 Chronicles 21 contains 20 verses. It opens with "And Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David: and Joram his son reigned in his…" and closes with "He was two and thirty years old when he began his reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked not…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Chronicles 21?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Josaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David: and Joram his son reigned in his stead." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Chronicles Chapter 21?

This chapter mentions David, Ahab, Zechariah, Elisha, Michael, among others.

Who wrote 2 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler'). After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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