2 Chronicles 11

Rehoboam Reigns over Judah and Builds Cities

1 ¹Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 * * chosen men who were 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, saying,

3 "Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,

4 'Thus says the LORD, "You shall not go up or fight against ³your relatives; return every man to his house, ⁴for this thing is from Me.""' So they listened to the words of the LORD and returned from going against Jeroboam.

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

6 Thus he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,

7 Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,

8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,

9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

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

11 He also strengthened the fortresses and put officers in them and stores of food, oil and wine.

12 He put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly *. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

13 Moreover, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel stood with him from all their districts.

Jeroboam Appoints False Priests

14 For ⁶the Levites left their pasture lands and their property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for ⁷Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from serving as priests to the LORD.

15 ⁸He set up priests of his own for the high places, for the satyrs and for the calves which he had made.

16 ⁹Those from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem, to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.

17 ¹⁰They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

Rehoboam's Family

18 Then Rehoboam took as a wife Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of ¹¹Eliab the son of Jesse,

19 and she bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham.

20 After her he took ¹²Maacah the daughter of Absalom, and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith.

21 Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines. For ¹³he had taken eighteen * wives and sixty concubines and fathered twenty-eight * sons and sixty daughters.

22 ¹⁴Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah as head and leader among his brothers, for he intended to make him king.

23 He acted wisely and distributed some of his sons through all the territories of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities, and he gave them food in abundance. And he sought many wives for them.

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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 12:21-24
• 2. 2 Chr 12:5-7, 15
• 3. 2 Chronicles 28:8-11
• 4. 2 Chronicles 10:15
• 5. 2 Chronicles 8:2-6; 2 Chronicles 11:23
• 6. Numbers 35:2-5
• 7. 1 Kings 12:28-33; 2 Chronicles 13:9
• 8. 1 Kings 12:31; 1 Kings 13:33
• 9. 2 Chronicles 15:9
• 10. 2 Chronicles 12:1
• 11. 1 Samuel 16:6
• 12. 1 Kings 15:2; 2 Chronicles 13:2
• 13. Deuteronomy 17:17
• 14. Deuteronomy 21:15-17

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "brothers"
• [b]. Lit "came after"
• [c]. In 1 Kin 15:2, "Abishalom"
• [d]. Lit "from all"

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