2 Chronicles 11

1 When Rechav`am was come to Yerushalayim, he assembled the house of Yehudah and Binyamin, one hundred eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against Yisra'el, to bring the kingdom again to Rechav`am.

2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemayah the man of God, saying,

3 Speak to Rechav`am the son of Shlomo, king of Yehudah, and to all Yisra'el in Yehudah and Binyamin, saying,

4 Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up, nor fight against your brothers: return every man to his house; for this thing is of me. So they listened to the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Yarov`am.

5 Rechav`am lived in Yerushalayim, and built cities for defense in Yehudah.

6 He built Beit-Lechem, and `Etam, and Tekoa,

7 Beit-Tzur, and Sokho, and `Adullam,

8 and Gat, and Mareshah, and Zif,

9 and Adorayim, and Lakhish, and `Azeka,

10 and Tzor`ah, and Ayalon, and Hevron, which are in Yehudah and in Binyamin, fortified cities.

11 He fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of victuals, and oil and wine.

12 In every city [he put] shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. Yehudah and Binyamin belonged to him.

13 The Kohanim and the Levites who were in all Yisra'el resorted to him out of all their border.

14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Yehudah and Yerushalayim: for Yarov`am and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the Kohen's office to the LORD;

15 and he appointed him Kohanim for the high places, and for the male goats, and for the calves which he had made.

16 After them, out of all the tribes of Yisra'el, such as set their hearts to seek the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, came to Yerushalayim to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Yehudah, and made Rechav`am the son of Shlomo strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Shlomo.

18 Rechav`am took him a wife, Machalat the daughter of Yerimot the son of David, [and of] Avichayil the daughter of Eli'av the son of Yishai;

19 and she bore him sons: Ye`ush, and Shemaryahu, and Zaham.

20 After her he took Ma`akhah the daughter of Avshalom; and she bore him Aviyah, and `Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomit.

21 Rechav`am loved Ma`akhah the daughter of Avshalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.)

22 Rechav`am appointed Aviyah the son of Ma`akhah to be chief, [even] the prince among his brothers; for [he was minded] to make him king.

23 He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Yehudah and Binyamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them victuals in abundance. He sought [for them] many wives.

2 Chronicles 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel. (1-12) The priests and Levites find refuge in Judah. (13-23)

Verses 1-12 A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are destitute of true faith, will at times pay some regard to the word of God, and be kept by it from wrong actions, to which they are prone by nature.

Verses 13-23 When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our choices, religious advantages must be sought before all outward conveniences. Where God's faithful priests are, his faithful people should be. And when it has been proved that we are willing to renounce our worldly interests, so far as we are called to do so for the sake of Christ and his gospel, we have good evidence that we are truly his disciples. And it is the interest of a nation to protect religion and religious people.

Chapter Summary

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