2 kings 3:1 - Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 3:1

What does "2 kings 3:1" mean?


This verse, 2 Kings 3:1, provides straightforward historical information:

"Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria..." This introduces Jehoram (also spelled Joram), the son of the infamous King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, as the new king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Samaria was the capital city of Israel.

"...in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah..." This gives a specific date for the start of Jehoram's reign, relating it to the reign of Jehoshaphat, the king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This helps to synchronize the history of the two kingdoms, which had been divided for some time.

"...and reigned twelve years." This simply states the duration of Jehoram's rule.

In summary, the verse tells us:

Who became king: Jehoram (son of Ahab) of Israel.
When he became king: The 18th year of Jehoshaphat of Judah's reign.
How long he ruled: 12 years.

This is important context for understanding the events that follow in the narrative, as it sets the stage for Jehoram's reign and the political landscape of the time. Knowing the approximate timeline and who was in power in both kingdoms is crucial for interpreting the historical accounts in the Books of Kings.

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