11. He even built pagan places of worship in the Judean highlands and led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to sin against the Lord.
12. The prophet Elijah sent Jehoram a letter, which read as follows: “The Lord, the God of your ancestor David, condemns you, because you did not follow the example of your father, King Jehoshaphat, or that of your grandfather, King Asa.
13. Instead, you have followed the example of the kings of Israel and have led the people of Judah and Jerusalem into being unfaithful to God, just as Ahab and his successors led Israel into unfaithfulness. You even murdered your brothers, who were better men than you are.
14. As a result, the Lord will severely punish your people, your children, and your wives, and will destroy your possessions.
15. You yourself will suffer a painful disease of the intestines that will grow worse day by day.”
16. Some Philistines and Arabs lived near where some Ethiopians had settled along the coast. The Lord incited them to go to war against Jehoram.
17. They invaded Judah, looted the royal palace, and carried off as prisoners all the king's wives and sons except Ahaziah, his youngest son.
18. Then after all this, the Lord brought on the king a painful disease of the intestines.
19. For almost two years it grew steadily worse until finally the king died in agony. His subjects did not light a bonfire in mourning for him as had been done for his ancestors.
20. Jehoram had become king at the age of 32 and had ruled in Jerusalem for eight years. Nobody was sorry when he died. They buried him in David's City, but not in the royal tombs.