2 Chronicles 21:20
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned
in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in
the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
Acute tonsillopharyngitis. That’s
the bacteria that tied me to bed almost all week. It horribly overwhelmed my
system and overruled my schedules. On day two, seeing my kids freely messing
the house, I took the TV remote for a breath of sanity. What first popped up
was the news of the death of the country’s comedy king, Dolphy. Grief was not the ideal company for my
sickness, but I tuned in - - ‘til his burial. Actually, there’s not much of a choice
because all the local channels featured him. He was loved by many, proven by
the heartfelt eulogies and the long line of fans wanting to pay him last
respects. He may be gone but he will always be remembered as the man who gave
us good laughs and made us appreciate the good life.
Now, let’s compare that to the man, King Jehoram. He died half the
age of Dolphy, but he passed away ‘to no one’s regret’. Although true heir of
Jehoshaphat and Asa, he was denied the honor to be in the tomb of kings. There
was no official funeral for him. No one came
to visit him at his deathbed and not even a single camera to feature his
incurable, intestinal disease. Because who would? He had no brothers left for
he put them all to death on his first year. His wives and children? They were carried off by
the invading Philistines and Arabs. And his people? Would they pay respect to a
man who caused everyone to prostitute themselves then left them all in poverty
line? Surely his death was wished. His greed for power became Judah’s downfall and his sin ruling it all.
Actually not all. His sins may be top of the ranks and its effect far
out and wide, but it couldn’t touch the sovereignty of God. It did unleash His
wrath, but His grace abounded all the more. Amidst the invasion account, verse
17 noted that ‘not a son was left to him except Ahaziah, the youngest’. Any
father would grab that cue and be grateful somehow. God knew Jehoram wouldn’t, but
He still saved that son. All in light of His love and covenant to the house of
David. Jehoram may have dishonored God.
His people may have discredited him. But God still allowed his name mentioned
in the genealogy of Jesus. We may not heartily mention his name to our kids, as
we do with Abraham, Moses, David, or Dolphy, but may we remember the good God who
gave him life, and so much grace ‘til his death.