II Chronicles 12
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
He forsook the law of the Lord - This was after the three years mentioned Ch2 11:17.
Open source ↗REHOBOAM, FORSAKING GOD, IS PUNISHED BY SHISHAK. (Ch2 12:1-12) when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself--(See on Ch2 11:17). During the first three years of his reign his royal influence was exerted in the encouragement of the true religion. Security and ease led to religious decline, which, in the fourth year, ended in open apostasy. The example of the court was speedily followed by his subjects, for "all Israel was with him," that is, the people in his own kingdom. The very next year, the fifth of his reign, punishment was inflicted by the invasion of Shishak.
Open source ↗And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom,.... Or when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established; the tribes of Judah and Benjamin being firmly attached to him, and great numbers from the other tribes coming over to him, and things going on peaceably and prosperously during the three years that he and his people abode by the pure worship of God: and had strengthened himself; built fortified cities for the defence of himself and kingdom, Ch2 11:5, he forsook the law of the Lord; after he had reigned three years, and was become strong, and thought himself safe and secure on the throne, trusting to his strength: and all Israel with him; the greater part of them following the example of their king; of this defection, and the sins they fell into, see Kg1 14:22.
Open source ↗Israel was very much disgraced and weakened by being divided into two kingdoms; yet the kingdom of Judah, having both the temple and the royal city, both the house of David and the house of Aaron, might have done very well if they had continued in the way of their duty; but here we have all out of order there. I. Rehoboam and his people left God: He forsook the law of the Lord, and so in effect forsook God, and all Israel with him, Ch2 12:1. He had his happy triennium, when he walked in the way of David and Solomon (Ch2 11:17), but it expired, and he grew remiss in the worship of God; in what instances we are not told, but he fell off, and Judah with him, here called Israel, because they walked in the evil ways into which Jeroboam had drawn the kingdom of Israel. Thus he did when he had established the kingdom and strengthened himself. As long as he thought his throne tottered he kept to his duty, that he might make God his friend; but, when he found it stood pretty firmly, he thought he had no more occasion for religion; he was safe enough without it. Thus the prosperity of fools destroys them. Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked. When men prosper, and are in no apprehension of troubles, they are ready to say to God, Depart from us. II. God quickly brought troubles upon them, to awaken them, and recover them to repentance, before their hearts were hardened. It was but in the fourth year of Rehoboam that they began to corrupt themselves, and in the fifth year the king of Egypt came up against them with a vast army, took the fenced cities of Judah, and came against Jerusalem, Ch2 12:2, Ch2 12:3, Ch2 12:4. This great calamity coming upon them so soon after they began to desert the worship of God, by a hand they had little reason to suspect (having had a great deal of friendly c…
Open source ↗12:1-2 The book of Kings states no theological reason for Egypt’s invasion, but the Chronicler does: The Egyptians attacked Jerusalem because Rehoboam had abandoned the covenant and rebelled against the Lord.
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 כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion חֶזְקָה (chezqâh, H2393) — prevailing power עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗חֲמִישִׁי (chămîyshîy, H2549) — fifth; also a fifth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king רְחַבְעָם (Rᵉchabʻâm, H7346) — Rechabam, an Israelite king שִׁישַׁק (Shîyshaq, H7895) — Shishak, an Egyptian king מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מָעַל (mâʻal, H4603) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… שִׁשִּׁים (shishshîym, H8346) — sixty פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6571) — a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מִסְפָּר (miçpâr, H4557) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt לוּבִי (Lûwbîy, H3864) — a Libyan or inhabitant of interior Africa (only in plural) סֻכִּי (Çukkîy, H5525) — a Sukkite, or inhabitant of some place near Egypt (i.e. hut-dwellers) כּוּשִׁי (Kûwshîy, H3569) — a Cushite, or descendant of Cush
Open source ↗לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… 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… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man רְחַבְעָם (Rᵉchabʻâm, H7346) — Rechabam, an Israelite king שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שִׁישַׁק (Shîyshaq, H7895) — Shishak, an Egyptian king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. אַף (ʼaph, H637) — meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מְעַט (mᵉʻaṭ, H4592) — a little or few (often adverbial or compar.) פְּלֵיטָה (pᵉlêyṭâh, H6413) — deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) נָתַךְ (nâthak, H5413) — to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗שִׁישַׁק (Shîyshaq, H7895) — Shishak, an Egyptian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אוֹצָר (ʼôwtsâr, H214) — a depository בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king רְחַבְעָם (Rᵉchabʻâm, H7346) — Rechabam, an Israelite king עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗דַּי (day, H1767) — enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… תָּא (tâʼ, H8372) — a room (as circumscribed)
Open source ↗כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3617) — a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king רְחַבְעָם (Rᵉchabʻâm, H7346) — Rechabam, an Israelite king חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.
Thus King Rehoboam established himself in Jerusalem. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.
But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.
and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced.
When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died.
“Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin
You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth.
You have kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”
And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, the LORD has brought all this disaster upon them.’”
but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.