2 Chronicles 21:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The passage clearly illustrates how the Lord raises adversaries to devastate the territories He considers deserving of such retribution. Could it be that the Philistines and Arabians invaded the land of Judah against their own volition? Or did they come willingly, suggesting that the Scriptures falsely claim that their hostility towards Judah was incited by the Lord? Both assertions hold truth. They arrived of their own accord, yet the Lord did indeed incite their spirits. Thus, we can affirm that while their spirits were stirred up by the Lord, they acted of their own free will. The Almighty Lord, in Whose desires there is no injustice, accomplishes His divine purpose within the hearts of mankind, guiding their will in a manner that ultimately serves the fulfillment of His intentions through them.

Elijah's prophecy came to pass. The foreigners not only declared war on Joram, but also the Arabians and the tribes adjacent to the Ethiopians launched an assault against him, achieving a significant triumph. They captured the city, took a vast number of people captive, executed his sons and daughters, and seized the king’s riches for their own. Only Ohoziah, the youngest of Joram's offspring, managed to escape.