2 Chronicles 21:3 - Exposition

The father's foreseeing care issued very differently from what he had thought, waking now the greed and murderous intent of Jehoram. Jehoshaphat, nevertheless, was but following in the wake of the head of the separated kingdom of Judah, Rehoboam ( 2 Chronicles 11:22 , 2 Chronicles 11:23 ), wherein he is said to have "dealt wisely;" even the parallel (in the matter of one son Abijah, sen of Maachah, the favourite wife, being appointed king) obtaining there in an aggravated form, as he was not the eldest son. This case, with those of Solomon and Jehoahaz (by the favour not of the parent but of the people, 2 Kings 23:30 ), formed the exceptions to the usual observance of and honour done to the principle of primogeniture ( Deuteronomy 21:15-17 ).