King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 11:20 Mean?

2 Chronicles 11:20 in the King James Version says “And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.”

2 Chronicles 11:20 · KJV

Context

18

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;

19

Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.

20

And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

21

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.)

22

And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.

Read 2 Chronicles 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

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.

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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 · 16 words
וְאַֽחֲרֶ֣יהָ1 of 16

“And after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

לָקַ֔ח2 of 16

“her he took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶֽת3 of 16
H853

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

מַעֲכָ֖ה4 of 16

“Maachah”

H4601

maakah (or maakath), the name of a place in syria, also of a mesopotamian, of three israelites, and of four israelitesses and one syrian woman

בַּת5 of 16

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם6 of 16

“of Absalom”

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

וַתֵּ֣לֶד7 of 16

“which bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

ל֗וֹ8 of 16
H0
אֶת9 of 16
H853

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

אֲבִיָּה֙10 of 16

“him Abijah”

H29

abijah, the name of several israelite men and two israelitesses

וְאֶת11 of 16
H853

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

עַתַּ֔י12 of 16

“and Attai”

H6262

attai, the name of three israelites

וְאֶת13 of 16
H853

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

זִיזָ֖א14 of 16

“and Ziza”

H2124

ziza, the name of two israelites

וְאֶת15 of 16
H853

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

שְׁלֹמִֽית׃16 of 16

“and Shelomith”

H8019

shelomith, the name of three israelitesses

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 11:20 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 11:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 13:21 Kings 15:1-22 Chronicles 12:162 Chronicles 11:21Matthew 1:7

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