2 Chronicles 21:1

2 Chronicles 21:1 says, Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.  Jehoshaphat died and was buried with his ancestors just as we will all one day die if Jesus Christ doesn't return first.  Jehoram his son replaced him as king, and someone will take our place in the church today after we die.  Verse two adds, And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.  Jehoram had several brothers, but there could only be one king.  We as followers of Christ are said to be His brothers and sisters, but He is the only King.  We will never be equals to God but even if we are called the children of God as Christians, we will also always be His servants.  Verse three continues, And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.  The other sons of Jehoshaphat had been given great gifts, but the kingdom was given to Jehoram as the first born.  God may give us great gifts as Christians today, but the kingdom will always belong to Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.  Verse four states, 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.  When Jehoram had established himself in power, he killed all his brothers and several other princes throughout Judah.  We are not told that they attempted to take the throne from him, but he just had them killed out of fear they might.  We should not be surprised if people of the world today attempt to kill Christians, not because we have threatened them but simply because they are afraid that we are somehow going to be a threat to them.  Vere five adds, Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.  Jehoram was thirty-two when he became king, and he ruled for eight years.  He did not have a long reign even though he had all those he feared would be a threat to him killed.  No matter how long people who do not put their faith in God may be in power, their rule will be short from the eternal perspective, but Jesus Christ will reign forever.  Verse six continues, And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Jehoram was married to one of Ahab's daughters and he followed the ways of Ahab instead of the ways of God.  Sometimes, Christians will marry non-Christians and begin to follow their beliefs, but we should never allow this to happen.  If we as followers of Christ do marry a non-Christian, we need o stand firm in our belief in God and follow His word.  We can never compromise and be successful in our spiritual life.