2 Chronicles 11:1-12

Rehoboam Secures His Kingdom

1 ¹When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen warriors, to fight against Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.

2 But the word of the Lord came to ²Shemaiah the man of God:

3 “Say to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin,

4 ‘Thus says the Lord, You shall not go up or fight against ³your relatives. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me. ’” So they listened to the word of the Lord and returned and did not go against Jeroboam.

5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built ⁴cities for defense in Judah.

6 He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

7 Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,

8 Gath, ⁵Mareshah, Ziph,

9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, fortified cities that are in Judah and in Benjamin.

11 He made the fortresses strong, and put commanders in them, and stores of food, oil, and wine.

12 And he put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

2 Chronicles 11:1-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 11

In this chapter are related the preparations Rehoboam made to regain the ten tribes that revolted from him, but was forbid making the attempt by a prophet of the Lord, which he paid a regard unto, 2Ch 11:1-4, the fortification of several cities in Judah and Benjamin for his defence, 2Ch 11:5-12, the resort of several priests and Levites to him from Jeroboam, which served to strengthen his kingdom, 2Ch 11:13-17, and an account of his wives, and of his children, and of his disposal of them, 2Ch 11:18-23.

been at Shechem, and had given his answer to the request of the men of Israel, upon which they revolted from him: this and the three following verses are the same with 1Ki 12:21-24. \\See Gill on "1Ki 12:21"\\. 19374-950111-2023-2Ch11.2

Cross References

• 1. 11:1 For ver. 1-4, see 1 Kgs. 12:21-24
• 2. 11:2 ch. 12:5, 15
• 3. 11:4 ch. 28:8, 11
• 4. 11:5 ver. 23; ch. 8:5; 12:4; 14:6; 17:2, 19; 21:3
• 5. 11:8 ch. 14:9