Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
Jehoshaphat departed from Rehoboam' s policy (II Chronicles 11:23 note), actually making over to his sons the "fenced cities" in which they dwelt. This, it is probable, provoked the jealousy of Jehoram, and induced him to put them to death II Chronicles 21:4.
Because he was the firstborn - Compare Deuteronomy 21:15-17. Exceptions to this rule in the northern and southern kingdoms are Solomon, where divine appointment superseded the natural order, Abijah II Chronicles 11:22 note), and Jehoahaz (II Kings 23:30 note).
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