17. Jehoram was 32 years old when he began to rule. He ruled eight years in Jerusalem.
18. But Jehoram lived as the kings of Israel and did what the Lord saw as evil. He lived as the people from Ahab’s family, because his wife was Ahab’s daughter.
19. But the Lord would not destroy Judah because of the promise to his servant David. He had promised David that someone from his family would always be king.
20. In Jehoram’s time Edom broke away from Judah’s rule. The people of Edom chose a king for themselves.
21. Then Jehoram and all his chariots went to Zair. The Edomite army surrounded them, but Jehoram and his officers attacked them and escaped. Jehoram’s soldiers all ran away and went home.
22. So the Edomites broke away from the rule of Judah. And they have been free from the rule of Judah until today. At the same time Libnah also broke away from Judah’s rule.
23. All the things Jehoram did are written in the book, The History of the Kings of Judah.
24. Jehoram died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Jehoram’s son Ahaziah became the new king.
25. Ahaziah son of Jehoram became the king of Judah in the 12th year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel.
26. Ahaziah was 22 years old when he began to rule. He ruled one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah. She was the daughter of King Omri of Israel.
27. Ahaziah did what the Lord said was wrong. He did many bad things, just as the people from Ahab’s family had done. He lived like this because his wife was from Ahab’s family.
28. Joram was from Ahab’s family. Ahaziah went with Joram to fight against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram.