King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 12:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 12:13 in the King James Version says “So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began ... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

2 Chronicles 12:13 · KJV


Context

11

And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.

12

And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well. and also: or, and yet in Judah there were good things

13

So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

14

And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD. prepared: or, fixed

15

Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. book: Heb. words


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Divine discipline for unfaithfulness, mercy through humility. 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 · 32 words
וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֞ק1 of 32

strengthened

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ2 of 32

So king

H4428

a king

רְחַבְעָ֨ם3 of 32

Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם4 of 32

himself in Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

מָלַ֣ךְ5 of 32

and he reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

כִּ֣י6 of 32
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בֶן7 of 32

old

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים8 of 32

and forty

H705

forty

וְאַחַ֣ת9 of 32

was one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

שָׁנָ֣ה׀10 of 32

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

רְחַבְעָ֨ם11 of 32

Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

מָלַ֣ךְ12 of 32

and he reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וּֽשֲׁבַ֨ע13 of 32

seventeen

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה14 of 32
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֣ה׀15 of 32

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֣ךְ16 of 32

and he reigned

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם17 of 32

himself in Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הָ֠עִיר18 of 32

the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֲשֶׁר19 of 32
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּחַ֨ר20 of 32

had chosen

H977

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

יְהוָ֜ה21 of 32

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָשׂ֨וּם22 of 32

to put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת23 of 32
H853

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

וְשֵׁ֣ם24 of 32

his name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שָׁם֙25 of 32
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מִכֹּל֙26 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שִׁבְטֵ֣י27 of 32

out of all the tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל28 of 32

of Israel

H3478

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

וְשֵׁ֣ם29 of 32

his name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִמּ֔וֹ30 of 32

there And his mother's

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

נַֽעֲמָ֖ה31 of 32

was Naamah

H5279

naamah, the name of a place in palestine

הָֽעַמֹּנִֽית׃32 of 32

an Ammonitess

H5985

an ammonitess


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 12:13 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 12:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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