Joram

Joram, also known as Jehoram, was the king of Northern Israel and the son of King Ahab. He became king after the death of his brother Ahaziah who had no son (2 Kings 1:17). He began his reign in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and ruled for twelve years from Samaria (2 Kings 3:1). Joram was not as wicked as his parents, for he removed the pillar of Baal, but he still continued in the sinful ways of Jeroboam by allowing the worship of golden calves. During his reign, Joram formed alliances with the kings of Judah, Jehoshaphat and later Ahaziah, who were also his relatives by marriage (2 Kings 8:16, 25). These alliances led to joint military campaigns, including a war against Moab and, most notably, a battle against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramoth Gilead (2 Kings 3:6; 8:28). ¶ In the battle at Ramoth Gilead, Joram was wounded and returned to Jezreel to recover (2 Kings 8:29; 2 Chronicles 22:6). While he was recovering, Jehu, who had been anointed by a prophet to destroy the house of Ahab, led a revolt against him (2 Kings 9:14, 16). Joram went out to meet Jehu, but Jehu killed him with an arrow and threw his body on the field of Naboth, fulfilling the prophecy of judgment against Ahab’s family (2 Kings 9:21-26). Joram’s death marked the end of the Omride dynasty and the beginning of Jehu’s rule over Israel (2 Kings 9:29; 2 Chronicles 22:7). His life is a story of political alliances, battles, and the fulfillment of God’s judgment on a royal house that had turned away from the Lord.