Thirty and two years. — The word “years” has fallen out of the Hebrew text; but some MSS. contain it. The repetition of his age, &c, is curious. (See 2 Chronicles 21:6.) It seems to indicate that the writer was here transcribing from another source.
And departed without being desired. — And he departed without regret, died unregretted. Hemdâh answers to the Latin desiderium. The LXX. and Vulg. render: “And he walked not in approbation,” or “rightly.” Comp. Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the end of king Jehoiakim: “They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah, my brother!” &c. (Jeremiah 22:18-19). So Syriac and Arabic.
Howbeit. — And.
They buried him. — LXX., Syriac, and Arabic: “He was buried.”
But not in the sepulchres of the kings. — 2 Chronicles 24:25; 2 Chronicles 26:23. Another circumstance of dishonour. It is not mentioned in 2 Kings 8:17. Thenius asserts that in these additions to the history of Jehoram there is traceable, not only a traditional or legendary element, but also pure embellishment on the part of the chronicler. The grounds he alleges, however, by no means necessitate his conclusion, being themselves misinterpretations of the statements of Kings.