3. Their father had given them many gifts. He had given them silver, gold and articles of value. He had also given them cities in Judah that had high walls around them. But he had made Jehoram king. That's because Jehoram was his oldest son.
4. Jehoram made his position secure over his father's kingdom. Then he killed all of his brothers with his sword. He also killed some of the princes of Israel.
5. Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king. He ruled in Jerusalem for eight years.
6. He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the royal family of Ahab had done. In fact, he got married to a daughter of Ahab. Jehoram did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.
7. But the Lord didn't want to destroy the royal family of David. That's because the Lord had made a covenant with him. He had promised to keep the lamp of David's kingdom burning brightly for him and his children after him forever.
8. When Jehoram was king over Judah, Edom refused to remain under Judah's control. They set up their own king.
9. So Jehoram went to Edom. He took his officers and all of his chariots with him. The men of Edom surrounded him and his chariot commanders. But he got up at night and fought his way out.
10. To this very day Edom has refused to remain under Judah's control. At that same time, Libnah also refused to remain under the control of Judah. That's because Jehoram had deserted the Lord, the God of his people.
11. He had also built high places on the hills of Judah. He had caused the people of Jerusalem to worship other gods. They weren't faithful to the Lord. Jehoram had led Judah down the wrong path.
12. Jehoram received a letter from the prophet Elijah. It said, "The Lord is the God of your father David. The Lord says, 'You have not followed the ways of your own father Jehoshaphat or of Asa, the king of Judah.
13. Instead, you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel. You have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to worship other gods, just as the royal family of Ahab did. Also, you have murdered your own brothers. They were members of your own family. They were better men than you are.