King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 11:1 Mean?

2 Chronicles 11:1 in the King James Version says “And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousan... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 11:1 · KJV


Context

1

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.

2

But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

3

Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 21

was come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לִרְחַבְעָֽם׃2 of 21

And when Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֒3 of 21

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיַּקְהֵל֩4 of 21

he gathered

H6950

to convoke

אֶת5 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּ֨ית6 of 21

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֜ה7 of 21

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וּבִנְיָמִ֗ן8 of 21

and Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

מֵאָ֨ה9 of 21

an hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים10 of 21

and fourscore

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

אֶ֛לֶף11 of 21

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

בָּח֖וּר12 of 21

chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

עֹשֵׂ֣ה13 of 21

men which were warriors

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מִלְחָמָ֑ה14 of 21
H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

לְהִלָּחֵם֙15 of 21

to fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִם16 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל17 of 21

against Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְהָשִׁ֥יב18 of 21

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶת19 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה20 of 21

the kingdom

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

לִרְחַבְעָֽם׃21 of 21

And when Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 11:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 11:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study