And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.
The people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, the youngest son, king to replace his father. This happened because the raiders who came with the Arabs to attack their camp had killed all of his older brothers. So Ahaziah, son of King Jehoram of Judah, became king.
The writer is explaining how Ahaziah became king of Judah not by normal succession, but because enemy raiders had killed all his older brothers, leaving only him alive.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred around 841 BC during a period of great instability in Judah. King Jehoram had recently died, and Arab raiders along with the Philistines had attacked Jerusalem, killing most of the royal family. Ahaziah was likely very young when he took the throne, making him vulnerable to outside influences, particularly from his mother's family in the northern kingdom of Israel.
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