Following the death of king Jehoshaphat, his son Jehoram took the throne. Jehoram did not follow the ways of his father. Instead, he followed the ways of his father-in-law, king Ahab of northern Israel. His first official act was to assassinate his brothers to keep them from overthrowing his throne. Even in the midst of this, God shows His mercy by allowing David's line to continue, as He had promised.
Jehoram dies after 8 years and the Bible records "he departed with no one's regret." His youngest son, Ahaziah, was made king. Ahaziah followed the ways of his mother, Ahab's daughter. While visiting at the home of his cousin, king Joram of northern Israel, Jehu found him and put him to death as the prophet Elijah had ordered him to do. Ahaziah's mother promptly destroyed the royal family, in hopes of uniting the kingdom under Ahab's family. But one young son, Joash, was secretly hidden away and escaped the murderous plot. Meanwhile, Queen Athaliah ruled over the land.
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