King James Version
2 Chronicles 11
23 verses with commentary
Rehoboam Fortifies Judah
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors , to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's the...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XI.
(1) **And when Rehoboam.**—*And Rehoboam came . . . and he gathered.* The chronicler omits 1Kings 12:20, which relates the call of Jeroboam to the throne of Israel. The present verse is a slightly abridged form of 1Kings 12:21.
**The kingdom.**—*Mamlākāh.* Kings, *m’lûkāh.*
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **The Lord.**—Kings has “God” twice. The chronicler does not always avoid the name *Jehovah.*
**Shemaiah.**—So Kings. The chronicler writes the longer form, *Shemayāhu;* and so *Ahiyāhu* in 2Chronicles 10:15.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgm...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **King of Judah.**—By this significant expression accomplished facts receive at the outset the seal of Divine assent.
**All Israel in Judah and Benjamin.**—Kings, “all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the remnant of the people;” where the second phrase seems to define the first, for the house of Judah and Benjamin *was* the remnant of Israel that continued loyal to David. In that case, the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspe...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Thus saith the Lord**.—The words of the prophecy are reported as in 1Kings 12:24, omitting “the sons of Israel” after “your brethren.”
**This thing is done of me**.—Literally, *from me became* (*arose*)* this matter;* viz., of the revolt of the ten tribes. (Comp. 2Chronicles 10:15 : “For the cause was of God.”)
**Words.**—“Word,” Kings and the versions here, no doubt rightly, as this is the ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(*b*) **REHOBOAM STRENGTHENS THE DEFENCES OF HIS KINGDOM** (2Chronicles 11:5-12).
This section is peculiar to the chronicler.
(5) **Dwelt in Jerusalem.**—As the capital.
**Cities for defence.**—(*‘Arîm l’māçôr* = *‘arê māçōr;* 2Chronicles 8:5),* “*embattled cities; “LXX., πόλεις τειχήρεις.
**In Judah.**—Not the territory of the tribe, but the kingdom is intended, for some of the fortresses were in...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exili...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **He** **built even.**—*And he built*—*i.e.,* fortified.
**Beth-lehem.**—*Beit-lahm,* on a rocky eminence, two hours south of Jerusalem (Genesis 35:19; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). The birthplace of David and of Christ.
**Etam.**—*Ain Attân;* different from the place mentioned in 1Chronicles 4:32 and Judges 15:8, which lay in Simeonite territory.
**Tekoa.**—*Teku’a;* ruins on a hill two hours sout...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic communi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Beth-zur.**—*Beit-sûr;* a ruin midway between *Urtâs* and Hebron (Joshua 15:58).
**Shoco.**—Heb., *Sōcō; es Suweikeh,* in *Wady Sumt,* three and a-half hours south-west of Jerusalem (Joshua 15:35; 1Samuel 17:1).
**Adullam.**—Joshua 15:35. Perhaps *Aid-el-Mieh.*
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community o...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Gath.**—Uncertain. Perhaps in the *Wady-el-Gat* north of Ascalon. (See 1Kings 2:39 and 1Chronicles 18:1, from a comparison of which it appears that, under Solomon, Gath was ruled by a vassal king.)
**Mareshah.**—*Marash;* a ruin two miles south of *Beit-jibrin,* Eleutheropolis (Joshua 15:44; 2Chronicles 14:9).
**Ziph.**—*Tel Zif;* ruins about one hour and a quarter south east of Hebron (Josh...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic communi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Adoraim.**—*Dûra;* a village about seven and a-half miles south west of Hebron. Called Αδωρα 1 Maccabees 13:20, and often mentioned by Josephus in connection with Marissa (Mareshah). The name is not found elsewhere in the Old Testament.
**Lachish.**—*Um Lakis;* a ruined city on a round hill, seven hours west of *Beit-jibrîn,* on the road from Hebron to Gaza (Joshua 10:3; Joshua 15:39).
**Aze...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Zorah.**—*Sur’ah;* a ruin on the ridge north of the *Wady-es-Surar.* The birthplace of Samson.
**Aijalon.**—*Yalo,* north of Sur’ah, four leagues west of Gibeon. Zorah and Aijalon, or Ajalon, may have become Benjamite cities at the epoch of the migration of Dan (Judges 18). (See Joshua 19:41-42; also Joshua 15:33; Joshua 10:12.) Of the fifteen fortified cities here enumerated these two lay ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgm...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **And he fortified.**—Literally, *strengthened, i.e.,* put them in an efficient condition for defence, by providing commandants and stores of arms and food.
**The strong holds.**—*Metsûrôth;* the word in last verse.
**Captains.**—*Negîdîm;* leaders, princes (1Chronicles 9:11). Here it means *commandants.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 25
1Ch 25:1-7. Number and Office of the Singers.
**1. David and the captains of the host--**that is, the princes (1Ch 23:2; 24:6). It is probable that the king was attended on the occasion of arranging the singers by the same parties that are mentioned as having assisted him in regulating the order of the priests and Levites.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who fo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Shields.**—The “targets” of 2Chronicles 9:15.
**Made them exceeding strong.**—*Strengthened them* (the same word as “fortified” in 2Chronicles 11:11) *very abundantly* (*l’harbēh meôd*)*.* A form of words only used by the chronicler. (See 2Chronicles 16:8; and comp. Nehemiah 6:18.)
**Having Judah and Benjamin on his side.**—Literally, *and he had* (or, *there fell to him*)* Judah and Benjam...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. according to the order of the king--**Hebrew, "by the hands of the king," that is, "according to the king's order," under the personal superintendence of Asaph and his colleagues.
**which prophesied--**that is, in this connection, played with instruments. This metaphorical application of the term "prophecy" most probably originated in the practice of the prophets, who endeavored to rouse th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel.(1-12)
The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah.(13-23)
**Verses 1-12**
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are des...
Read full commentary →The Priests and Levites Come to Judah
And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. resorted: Heb. presented themselves to him
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. Th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(*c*) **THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES, AND ALL WHO ARE FAITHFUL TO THE LEGITIMATE WORSHIP, DESERT THE NORTHERN KINGDOM** (2Chronicles 11:13-17).
This section also is peculiar to the chronicler, though indirectly confirmed by the notices in 1Kings 12:31; 1Kings 13:33.
(13) **Resorted to him.**—*Presented themselves before him* (Job 1:6; Job 2:1).
**Coasts.**—*Border, domain.* The term “Lévites” is here u...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Their suburbs.**—*Pasture-grounds* (Numbers 35:1-8).
**And their possession**—i.e., the cities assigned to them among the ten tribes.
**Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the Lord.**—See 1Kings 12:26-31. There we are told that, as a matter of policy, Jeroboam established two centres of worship within his own dominions, so that his subjects might ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face ju...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **And he ordained.**—*And had appointed* (1Chronicles 15:16-17; 1Chronicles 22:2).
**For the high places.**—*Bâmôth.* (See Note on 1Kings 12:31 *seqq.*) Such local sanctuaries existed not only at Dan and Bethel, but also in other cities of the northern kingdom. (Comp. 2Kings 17:9.)
**And for the devils.**—*Sĕ‘îrîm,* “satyrs” (Isaiah 13:21). Literally, *goats.* (See Note on Leviticus 17:7.) Th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. Heman the king's seer--**The title of "seer" or "prophet of David" is also given to Gad (1Ch 21:9), and to Jeduthun (2Ch 29:14, 15), in the words (Margin, "matters") of God.
**to lift up the horn--**that is, to blow loudly in the worship of God; or perhaps it means nothing more than that he presided over the wind instruments, as Jeduthun over the harp. Heman had been appointed at first to s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **And after them**—i.e., following their lead.
**Such as set their hearts.**—The same phrase (*nāthan lebab*) as in 1Chronicles 22:19, and nowhere else.
**Came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice.**—And to settle there, as appears from next verse. A similar migration of the faithful worshippers of Jehovah is recorded in the reigns of Asa and Hezekiah. (See 2Chronicles 15:9; 2Chronicles 30:11.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6-7. All these were under the hands of their father--**Asaph had four sons, Jeduthun six, and Heman fourteen, equal to twenty-four; making the musicians with their brethren the singers, an amount of two hundred eighty-eight. For, like the priests and Levites, they were divided into twenty-four courses of twelve men each, equal to two hundred eighty-eight, who served a week in rotation; and these...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings wh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **So they strengthened . . . three years**—*i.e.*, during the first three years of the reign. “There is no ground for suspecting the antiquity of this record. On the contrary, it is antecedently probable that the pressure from the north occasioned a proportionally greater earnestness in the religious life of the southern kingdom, and that the former was weakened and the latter strengthened by...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6-7. All these were under the hands of their father--**Asaph had four sons, Jeduthun six, and Heman fourteen, equal to twenty-four; making the musicians with their brethren the singers, an amount of two hundred eighty-eight. For, like the priests and Levites, they were divided into twenty-four courses of twelve men each, equal to two hundred eighty-eight, who served a week in rotation; and these...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**PARTICULAES CONCERNING REHOBOAM’S FAMILY**
(2Chronicles 11:18-23).
This record also is wanting in the Book of Kings. It appears to have been derived from the sources designated in 2Chronicles 12:15.
(18) **The daughter.**—So rightly, LXX., Vulg., and many Hebrew MSS. for the ordinary reading *son.*
**Of Jerimoth the son of David**—Jerimoth does not occur in the list of David’s sons (1Chronicles ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. they cast lots, ward against ward--**"Ward" is an old English word for "division" or "company." The lot was cast to determine the precedence of the classes or divisions over which the musical leaders presided; and, in order to secure an impartial arrangement of their order, the master and his assistants, the teacher and his scholars, in each class or company took part in this solemn casting o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Which bare.**—*And she* (*i.e.,* Mahalath) *bare.*
**Shamariah.**—*Shemariah.* These sons of Rehoboam occur here only.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Maachah the daughter of Absalom**—*i.e.,* granddaughter, as appears from 2Samuel 14:27, where *Tamar* is named as the “one daughter” of Absalom Josephus says Maachah was daughter of Tamar (*Ant* 8:10, 1). (Comp. 2Samuel 18:18; 2Chronicles 13:2; 1Kings 15:10.)
**Which bare him Abijah.**—Rehoboam’s successor, called “Abijam” in Kings. The other three are unknown.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emp...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Loved Maachah.**—She probably inherited her mother’s and grandfather’s beauty.
**For he took**—*Nāsā’,* as in 2Chronicles 13:21; a later usage instead of *lāqah.*
**And threescore concubines.**—Josephus (*l.c.*) says, “thirty,” and the difference in Hebrew is only of one letter. The recurrence of the same number immediately (“threescore daughters”) is also suspicious.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsak...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah . . . brethren.**—Rather, *And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maachah for head*—to wit, *for prince* (*nagîd*)—*among his brethren.* The expression “head” is explained by the following clause.
**For he thought to make him king.**—This gives the sense of the brief Hebrew phrase, “for—for making him king.” In making Abijah heir to the throne, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
Read full commentary →And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives. many wives: Heb. a multitude of wives
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness giving way to compromise. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes im...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **And** **he** **dealt wisely.**—Rehoboam showed his sagacity by providing each of his sons with an independent position and royal establishment in accordance with the notions of the time. In this way he secured their contentment and obviated quarrels for precedence, and intrigues against his destined successor. (Comp. Genesis 25:6; and 2Chronicles 21:2-3.) As resident prefects of the fortres...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-23**
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our c...
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