II Chronicles 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Gathered of the house of Judah - See this account Kg1 12:21-24 (note), and the notes there.
Open source ↗REHOBOAM, RAISING AN ARMY TO SUBDUE ISRAEL, IS FORBIDDEN BY SHEMAIAH. (2Ch. 11:1-17) Rehoboam . . . gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin . . . to fight against Israel--(See Kg1 12:21-24).
Open source ↗And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem,.... After he had 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 Kg1 12:21. See Gill on Kg1 12:21. . 2 Chronicles 11:5 ch2 11:5 ch2 11:5 ch2 11:5And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem,.... The metropolis of Judah, and the capital city of his kingdom: and built cities for defence in Judah; that is, rebuilt, enlarged, and fortified them; for otherwise they were built before, though neglected before the revolt of the ten tribes; but now it became necessary to make them more capacious and strong, to protect his people, and defend himself against Israel; for though he was forbid to act offensively, and therefore contented himself to abide in Jerusalem, and not go forth to war; yet he might lawfully put himself into a condition of defence.
Open source ↗Rehoboam's defection from the Lord, and his humiliation by the Egyptian king Shishak. - Ch2 12:1. The infinitive כּהכין, "at the time of the establishing," with an indefinite subject, may be expressed in English by the passive: when Rehoboam's royal power was established. The words refer back to Ch2 11:17. כּחזקתו, "when he had become strong" (חזקה is a nomen verbale: the becoming strong; cf. Ch2 26:16; Ch2 11:2), he forsook the Lord, and all Israel with him. The inhabitants of the kingdom of Judah are here called Israel, to hint at the contrast between the actual conduct of the people in their defection from the Lord, and the destiny of Israel, the people of God. The forsaking of the law of Jahve is in substance the fall into idolatry, as we find it stated more definitely in Kg1 14:22.
Open source ↗How the ten tribes deserted the house of David we read in the foregoing chapter. They had formerly sat loose to that family (Sa2 20:1, Sa2 20:2), and now they quite threw it off, not considering how much it would weaken the common interest and take Israel down from that pitch of glory at which it had arrived in the last reign. But thus the kingdom must be corrected as well as the house of David. 1. Rehoboam at length, like a bold man, raises an army, with a design to reduce the revolters, Ch2 11:1. Judah and Benjamin were not only resolved to continue their allegiance to him, but ready to give him the best assistance they could for the recovery of his right. Judah was his own tribe, that owned him some years before the rest did; Benjamin was the tribe in which Jerusalem, or the greatest part of it, stood, which perhaps was one reason why that tribe clave to him. 2. Yet, like a conscientious man, when God forbade him to prosecute this design, in obedience to him he let it fall, either because he reverenced the divine authority or because he knew that he should not prosper if he should go contrary to God's command, but instead of retrieving what was lost would be in danger of losing what he had. It is dangerous undertaking any thing, but especially undertaking a war, contrary to the will of God. God calls him (Ch2 11:3), Rehoboam the son of Solomon, to intimate that this was determined for the sin of Solomon, and it would be to no purpose to oppose a decree that had gone forth. They obeyed the words of the Lord; and though it looked mean, and would turn to their reproach among their neighbours, yet, because God would have it so, they laid down their arms. 3. Like a discreet man, he fortified his own country. He saw it was to no purpose to think of reducing those that had…
Open source ↗11:1-4 Shemaiah’s prophetic intervention averted immediate civil war among Israel’s tribes, but the summary of Rehoboam characterizes his reign as one of continual warfare with Jeroboam (12:15). Civil war characterized the first fifty years of the divided kingdom, until the time of Omri.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
רְחַבְעָם (Rᵉchabʻâm, H7346) — Rechabam, an Israelite king בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine קָהַל (qâhal, H6950) — to convoke בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שְׁמֹנִים (shᵉmônîym, H8084) — eighty, also eightieth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רְחַבְעָם (Rᵉchabʻâm, H7346) — Rechabam, an Israelite king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings
Open source ↗רְחַבְעָם (Rᵉchabʻâm, H7346) — Rechabam, an Israelite king יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מָצוֹר (mâtsôwr, H4692) — something hemming in, i.e. (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege,… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בֵּית לֶחֶם (Bêyth Lechem, H1035) — Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine עֵיטָם (ʻÊyṭâm, H5862) — Etam, a place in Palestine תְּקוֹעַ (Tᵉqôwaʻ, H8620) — Tekoa, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗בֵּית צוּר (Bêyth Tsûwr, H1049) — Beth-Tsur, a place in Palestine שׂוֹכֹה (Sôwkôh, H7755) — Sokoh or Soko, the name of two places in Palestine עֲדֻלָּם (ʻĂdullâm, H5725) — Adullam, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗גַּת (Gath, H1661) — Gath, a Philistine city מַרְאֵשָׁה (Marʼêshâh, H4762) — Mareshah, the name of two Israelites and of a place in Palestine זִיף (Zîyph, H2128) — Ziph, the name of a place in Palestine; also of an Israelite
Open source ↗אֲדוֹרַיִם (ʼĂdôwrayim, H115) — Adorajim, a place in Palestine לָכִישׁ (Lâkîysh, H3923) — Lakish, a place in Palestine עֲזֵקָה (ʻĂzêqâh, H5825) — Azekah, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗צׇרְעָה (Tsorʻâh, H6881) — Tsorah, a place in Palestine אַיָּלוֹן (ʼAyâlôwn, H357) — Ajalon, the name of five places in Palestine חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מְצוּרָה (mᵉtsûwrâh, H4694) — a hemming in, i.e. (objectively) a mound (of siege), or (subjectively) a rampart (of… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… מְצוּרָה (mᵉtsûwrâh, H4694) — a hemming in, i.e. (objectively) a mound (of siege), or (subjectively) a rampart (of… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… אוֹצָר (ʼôwtsâr, H214) — a depository מַאֲכָל (maʼăkâl, H3978) — an eatable (includ. provender, flesh and fruit) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
Open source ↗עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… צִנָּה (tsinnâh, H6793) — a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness); also cold (as… רֹמַח (rômach, H7420) — a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָצַב (yâtsab, H3320) — to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the…
Open source ↗לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. מִגְרָשׁ (migrâsh, H4054) — a suburb (i.e. open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area… אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זָנַח (zânach, H2186) — reject, forsake, fail כָּהַן (kâhan, H3547) — to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗Cross-references
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