¹⁰So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, unto this day: then did Libnah revolt at the same time from under his hand: because he had forsaken the Lord, the God of his fathers.
10. then did Libnah revolt at the same time] The exact position of Libnah is not known, but it was in the south of Judah, probably not far from Lachish (Tell el-Hesi) and the Edomite territory. The active hostility of the Edomitic (Arabian) and Philistine districts about this period afforded an opportunity to any elements of discontent in the townships of southern Judah; see the note on xxvi. 7. Probably the population of Libnah included many Edomite and Philistine families, compare the Peshitṭa rendering of this clause, viz. “Then did the Edomites who dwell in Libnah revolt.”
became he had forsaken, etc.] Not in Kings; a moralistic comment by the Chronicler.
11–15 (not in Kings).
Jehoram’s Sins and Elijah’s written Denunciation.
¹¹Moreover he made high places in the mountains[¹] of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, and led[²] Judah astray.
[¹] According to some ancient authorities, cities.
[²] Or, compelled Judah thereto.
11. in the mountains] So Peshitṭa, but LXX., in the cities. The difference between the two readings in Hebrew is very small.
made ... to go a whoring] a much used metaphor of Scripture, meaning led ... into idolatry.
led Judah astray] Literally, drew or thrust away Judah, i.e. from the presence of Jehovah.