2 Chronicles 11

CHAPTER 11

Rehoboam Fortifies Judah (11:1–17)

(1 Kings 12:21–24)

1–4 See 1 Kings 12:21–24 and comment.

5–12 The ten northern Israelite tribes under Jeroboam had just rebelled against Solomon’s son Rehoboam. Rehoboam was getting ready to attack Jeroboam, but the Lord commanded him not to do so (verses 1–4); the Lord said the division of ISRAEL had been caused by Him (see 1 Kings 11:1113). Therefore, Rehoboam decided instead to fortify the towns in the two southern territories of Judah and Benjamin, which remained under his control.

13–17 Jeroboam had set up an alternate system of worship throughout the ten northern tribes (see 1 Kings 12:25–33 and comment), which included the worship of goat¹ and calf idols (verse 15). Because Jeroboam had rejected the Levites living among the northern tribes and had forbidden them to act as priests, they left their pasture lands and property (Numbers 35:1–5) and moved to the south in support of Rehoboam. Also many other faithful believers moved south at that time and, in so doing, strengthened the kingdom of Judah (verses 16–17).

Rehoboam’s Family (11:18–23)

18–23 Like his father Solomon, Rehoboam took many wives and concubines. He chose Abijah, the son of his favorite wife Maacah, to succeed him as king, even though he was not the oldest of his sons (verse 22). He dispersed some of his sons throughout his kingdom so that they would not be on hand to contest the succession of their brother Abijah (verse 23).