Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 21:4

4 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself ▪ and slew all his brethren with the sword , and divers also of the princes of Israel .

He took Courage and hardned his heart, as that word sometimes signifies.

Partly because they either did, or he knew that they would, oppose him in his Wicked Designs: and partly for his own Security, lest his People, who, as he believed, would be highly exasperated with the Execution of his Counsels, should advance any of them to the Throne and depose him.

Either 1. of Judah, here called Israel, of which see the Notes on v. 2. Or. 2. The Princes or Chief Men of Israel, properly so called; not the Princes of all Israel or of the several Tribes thereof, but the Chief of those Israelites who out of Love to God and to the True Religion had forsaken their E[illegible: 1+ letters]tates and worldly Advantages in the Kingdom of Israel, and were now incorporated with the Kingdom of Judah. These he especially struck at, either 1. Because his Wife instigated him thereunto, both to punish them for their Revolt from her Father, and to deter others from following their Example: Or, 2. Because he justly and truly thought these would be most firm and constant to and zealous for that Religion, which he was resolved to oppose, being both by their Conscience and Interest obliged to it.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 16, [illegible: 1 word]