1. Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king.
2. Jehoram son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah had six brothers: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah.
3. Their father gave them large amounts of gold, silver, and other valuable possessions, and placed each one in charge of one of the fortified cities of Judah. But because Jehoram was the eldest, Jehoshaphat made him his successor.
4. When Jehoram was in firm control of the kingdom, he had all his brothers killed, and also some Israelite officials.
5. Jehoram became king at the age of 32, and he ruled in Jerusalem for eight years.
6. He followed the wicked example of King Ahab and the other kings of Israel, because he had married one of Ahab's daughters. He sinned against the Lord,
7. but the Lord was not willing to destroy the dynasty of David, because he had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would always continue to rule.
8. During Jehoram's reign Edom revolted against Judah and became an independent kingdom.
9. So Jehoram and his officers set out with chariots and invaded Edom. There the Edomite army surrounded them, but during the night they managed to break out and escape.