Bible Discussion Thread

How could Elijah write to this king when he went up to heaven in a fiery chariot in like 200 years before??

Hi Catherine. I'm unsure where you got that detail from, as my study of the chronology of events during this period show differently. If I might share my gleanings.

In the Kingdom of Judah: King Jehoshapat reigned from 873-848 ( 1 Kings 22:41) and then his son Jehoram was co-regent with him from 853 ( 2 Kings 8:16). After his father died, he continued in his reign (i.e. from 853 & then continued on from 848-841).

In the Kingdom of Israel: King Ahab reigned from 874-853 ( 1 Kings 16:29) & the Prophet Elijah was alive at that time ( 1 Kings 17:1). Elijah also lived & ministered under the next king, King Ahaziah's reign (853-852; 1 Kings 22:51) and then into the reign of King Jehoram (852-841; 2 Kings 1:17). This king was also known as Joram. By the way, it is a coincidence that we see the two Jehorams reigning side-by-side in the two kingdoms; unfortunately, both were bad kings.

When that "writing" (mentioned in 2 Chronicles 21:12) came to Jehoram, the King of JUDAH, (NOT Israel); though Elijah was actually a prophet to the Kingdom of Israel), Elijah would still have been alive. We're not told which year the 'letter' was sent, or received by Jehoram. The 'letter' might even have been delivered to Jehoram some time after Elijah's translation into Heaven, if Elijah wrote it just prior to his departure. So the way I understand it, is that Elijah was well & truly on Earth at this time, though possibly his age & distance may have prevented him from actually making that journey to Jerusalem in the southern kingdom.

As a footnote, I should say that the reigning years of the various kings are taken from reliable sources that have done the calculations going back into biblical history & from other historical documents; i.e. I've not guesstimated those dates.

Could you please link your source for this? Thank you.

Hello LukeCage151. Thanks for your enquiry. I'm sorry that I cannot link my source, as my information was gleaned primarily from my Bible. I can say this though, that it is one of the old versions of the KJV Ryrie Study Bible (bought in 1982), but even a newer edition that I have (since the old one is falling apart) also has this information, but presented differently.

A little about Charles Caldwell Ryrie: (March 2, 1925 - February 16, 2016). He was an American Bible scholar and Christian theologian. He served as professor of systematic theology and dean of doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and as president and professor at what is now Cairn University. After his retirement from Dallas Theological Seminary he also taught courses for Tyndale Theological Seminary. He is considered one of the most influential American theologians of the 20th century. He was the editor of The Ryrie Study Bible by Moody Publishers, containing more than 10,000 of his explanatory notes. First published in 1978, it has sold more than 2 million copies. He was a notable proponent of classic premillennial dispensationalism (this info taken from the Web).

So, coupled with his detailed charts attached at the end of the Bible, his explanatory notes within the Bible itself & my own double-checking between the Scriptures on specific kings, I have shared that information to this thread's enquirer. I realize that any non-biblical information given can be disputed, since it may not be clearly revealed within the Word, but as mentioned, I've found this man Ryrie, to be very knowledgeable & fundamental in his treatment of the Scriptures & in his presentation of any helps like the one I've shared.