Divrey Hayamim Bais 11

1 1 And when Rechav’am was come to Yerushalayim, he gathered of the Bais Yehudah and Binyamin a hundred and fourscore thousand bachur oseh milchamah (chosen men, which were warriors), to make war against Yisroel, that he might restore the mamlachah to Rechav’am.

2 But the Devar Hashem came to Shemayah the Ish HaElohim, saying,

3 Speak unto Rechav’am ben Sh’lomo Melech Yehudah, and to kol Yisroel in Yehudah and Binyamin, saying,

4 Thus saith Hashem, Ye shall not go up, nor make war against your achim. Shuvu (return) every ish to his bais, for this thing is done from Me. And they obeyed the divrei Hashem, and returned back from going against Yarov’am.

5 And Rechav’am dwelt in Yerushalayim, and built arim lematzor (cities for defense) in Yehudah.

6 He built even Beit-Lechem, and Eitam, and Tekoa,

7 Bei-Tzur, Socho, Adulam,

8 Gat, Mareshah, Ziph,

9 And Adorayim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

10 And Tzorah, and Ayalon, and Chevron, which are in Yehudah and in Binyamin arei metzurot (fortified cities).

11 And he fortified the metzurot (fortifications), and put negidim (rulers) in them, and otzerot ma’achal (storage places of food), and of shemen and yayin.

12 And in all the cities he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Yehudah and Binyamin on his side.

13 And the Kohanim and the Levi’im that were in kol Yisroel availed themselves to him from all their territories.

14 For the Levi’im abandoned their commonlands and their achuzzah (possession, estate) and came to Yehudah and Yerushalayim; for Yarov’am and his banim had cast them off from executing the office of Kohen unto Hashem.

15 And he ordained him kohanim for the high places, and for the se’irim (goat idols, demons) and for the agalim (calf idols) which he had made.

16 And after them from all the Shivtei Yisroel such as set their hearts to seek Hashem Elohei Yisroel came to Yerushalayim, to sacrifice unto Hashem Elohei Avoteihem.

17 So they strengthened the Malchut Yehudah, and made Rechav’am ben Sh’lomo strong, shanim shalosh. For shanim shalosh they walked in the Derech Dovid u’Sh’lomo.

18 And Rechav’am took him Machalat bat Yerimot Ben Dovid as isha, and Avichayil bat Eliav ben Yishai,

19 Which bore him banim: Yeush, and Shemaryah, and Zaham.

20 And after her he took Ma’achah bat Avshalom, who bore him Aviyah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shlomit.

21 And Rechav’am loved Ma’achah bat Avshalom more than any of his nashim and his pilagshim; (for he took eighteen nashim, and threescore pilagshim, and fathered twenty and eight banim, and threescore banot.)

22 And Rechav’am made Aviyah ben Ma’achah the rosh, to be nagid among his achim, for he intended to make him melech.

23 And he acted wisely, and dispersed kol banim of him throughout all the lands of Yehudah and Binyamin, unto all of the arei hametzurot (fortified cities); and he gave them mazon (provision, food) in abundance. And he took for them many wives.

Divrey Hayamim Bais 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