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2 Chronicles 11

BSB·23 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1When Rehoboamרְחַבְעָם֮rə·ḥaḇ·‘ām — He Enlarges the PeopleH7346 — Full Word Study → arrivedוַיָּבֹ֣אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → in Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַם֒yə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →, he mobilizedוַיַּקְהֵל֩way·yaq·hêl — to gather or assemble togetherH6950 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֨יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֜הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Benjaminוּבִנְיָמִ֗ןū·ḇin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study →—180,000 chosenבָּח֖וּרbā·ḥūr — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → warriorsמִלְחָמָ֑הmil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study →to fightלְהִלָּחֵם֙lə·hil·lā·ḥêm — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → againstעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → and restoreלְהָשִׁ֥יבlə·hā·šîḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → the kingdomהַמַּמְלָכָ֖הham·mam·lā·ḵāh — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study → to Rehoboamלִרְחַבְעָֽם׃פlir·ḥaḇ·‘ām — He Enlarges the PeopleH7346 — Full Word Study →. 2But the wordדְּבַר־də·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → cameוַיְהִי֙way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Shemaiahשְׁמַֽעְיָ֥הוּšə·ma‘·yā·hū — Yahweh has heardH8098 — Full Word Study → the manאִישׁ־’îš- — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →: 3Tellאֱמֹ֕ר’ĕ·mōr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → Rehoboamרְחַבְעָ֥םrə·ḥaḇ·‘ām — He Enlarges the PeopleH7346 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Solomonשְׁלֹמֹ֖הšə·lō·mōh — His peaceH8010 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֑הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶל֙wə·’el — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → in Judahבִּיהוּדָ֥הbî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Benjaminוּבִנְיָמִ֖ןū·ḇin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study → 4that this is whatכֹּ֣הkōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֡הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַ֣ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: ‘You are notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to go upתַעֲלוּ֩ṯa·‘ă·lū — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → and fightתִלָּ֨חֲמ֜וּṯil·lā·ḥă·mū — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → againstעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → your brothersאֲחֵיכֶ֗ם’ă·ḥê·ḵem — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →. Eachאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → of you must returnשׁ֚וּבוּšû·b̲û — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → homeלְבֵית֔וֹlə·ḇê·ṯōw — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֧יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → thisהַזֶּ֑הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → word isנִהְיָ֖הnih·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → from Me.’” So they listenedוַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙way·yiš·mə·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to the wordsדִּבְרֵ֣יdiḇ·rê — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → and turned backוַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּway·yā·šu·ḇū — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → from goingמִלֶּ֥כֶתmil·le·ḵeṯ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → againstאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Jeroboamיָרָבְעָֽם׃פyā·rā·ḇə·‘ām — The Lord EnlargesH3379 — Full Word Study →. 5Rehoboamרְחַבְעָ֖םrə·ḥaḇ·‘ām — He Enlarges the PeopleH7346 — Full Word Study → continued to live in Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑םbî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →, and he built upוַיִּ֧בֶןway·yi·ḇen — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרִ֛ים‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → for defenseלְמָצ֖וֹרlə·mā·ṣō·wr — Siege, fortress, stronghold, defensive fortificationH4692 — Full Word Study → in Judahבִּיהוּדָֽה׃bî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. 6He built upוַיִּ֧בֶןway·yi·ḇen — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → Bethlehemלֶ֛חֶםle·ḥem — House of BreadH1035 — Full Word Study →, Etamעֵיטָ֖ם‘ê·ṭām — A rocky crag or strongholdH5862 — Full Word Study →, Tekoaתְּקֽוֹעַ׃tə·qō·w·a‘ — A town in JudahH8620 — Full Word Study →, 7Beth-zurצ֥וּרṣūr — Beth-zur, a fortified city in JudahH1049 — Full Word Study →, Socoשׂוֹכ֖וֹśō·w·ḵōw — A city in JudahH7755 — Full Word Study →, Adullamעֲדֻלָּֽם׃‘ă·ḏul·lām — refuge cave cityH5725 — Full Word Study →, 8Gathגַּ֥תgaṯ — A Philistine cityH1661 — Full Word Study →, Mareshahמָרֵשָׁ֖הmā·rê·šāh — Fortress city in JudahH4762 — Full Word Study →, Ziphזִֽיף׃zîp̄ — A wilderness regionH2128 — Full Word Study →, 9Adoraimאֲדוֹרַ֥יִם’ă·ḏō·w·ra·yim — A fortified cityH115 — Full Word Study →, Lachishלָכִ֖ישׁlā·ḵîš — An ancient Judean cityH3923 — Full Word Study →, Azekahעֲזֵקָֽה׃‘ă·zê·qāh — Fortress city in JudahH5825 — Full Word Study →, 10Zorahצָרְעָה֙ṣā·rə·‘āh — A city in JudahH6881 — Full Word Study →, Aijalonאַיָּל֔וֹן’ay·yā·lō·wn — Deer; StagH357 — Full Word Study →, and Hebronחֶבְר֔וֹןḥeḇ·rō·wn — Hebron, a significant ancient city in JudahH2275 — Full Word Study →, the fortifiedמְצֻרֽוֹת׃mə·ṣu·rō·wṯ — Fortified city or fortress; a strongholdH4694 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרֵ֖י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → in Judahבִּיהוּדָ֖הbî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Benjaminוּבְבִנְיָמִ֑ןū·ḇə·ḇin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study →. 11He strengthenedוַיְחַזֵּ֖קway·ḥaz·zêq — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → their fortresses and putוַיִּתֵּ֤ןway·yit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → officersנְגִידִ֔יםnə·ḡî·ḏîm — Leader, chief, or ruler with authorityH5057 — Full Word Study → in them, with suppliesוְאֹצְר֥וֹתwə·’ō·ṣə·rō·wṯ — Storehouse or treasury; a place where valuables are keptH214 — Full Word Study → of foodמַאֲכָ֖לma·’ă·ḵāl — Food, sustenance, or provisions for eatingH3978 — Full Word Study →, oilוְשֶׁ֥מֶןwə·še·men — Oil; ointment; fat; luxuryH8081 — Full Word Study →, and wineוָיָֽיִן׃wā·yā·yin — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study →. 12He also put shieldsצִנּ֣וֹתṣin·nō·wṯ — Shield; protection; defensive armorH6793 — Full Word Study → and spearsוּרְמָחִ֔יםū·rə·mā·ḥîm — spear; a weapon of warH7420 — Full Word Study → in allוּבְכָל־ū·ḇə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the citiesוָעִיר֙wā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → and strengthened themוַֽיְחַזְּקֵ֖םway·ḥaz·zə·qêm — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → greatlyלְהַרְבֵּ֣הlə·har·bêh — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study →. So Judahיְהוּדָ֥הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Benjaminוּבִנְיָמִֽן׃סū·ḇin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study → belongedוַיְהִי־way·hî- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to him. 13Moreover, the priestsוְהַכֹּהֲנִים֙wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → and Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּ֔םwə·hal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → fromאֲשֶׁ֖ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → allבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → their districtsגְּבוּלָֽם׃gə·ḇū·lām — boundary, border, or limit of a regionH1366 — Full Word Study → throughoutמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → stoodהִֽתְיַצְּב֥וּhiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū — To stand, take a stand, present oneselfH3320 — Full Word Study → with Rehoboamעָלָ֖יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 14Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֗םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → leftעָזְב֣וּ‘ā·zə·ḇū — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → their pasturelandsמִגְרְשֵׁיהֶם֙miḡ·rə·šê·hem — open pasture land; commons; suburbH4054 — Full Word Study → and their possessionsוַאֲחֻזָּתָ֔םwa·’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯām — A permanent possession or inherited propertyH272 — Full Word Study → and wentוַיֵּלְכ֥וּway·yê·lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → to Judahלִיהוּדָ֖הlî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Jerusalemוְלִֽירוּשָׁלִָ֑םwə·lî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Jeroboamיָֽרָבְעָם֙yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām — The Lord EnlargesH3379 — Full Word Study → and his sonsוּבָנָ֔יוū·ḇā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → had rejected themהִזְנִיחָ֤םhiz·nî·ḥām — to reject, cast off, forsakeH2186 — Full Word Study → as priestsמִכַּהֵ֖ןmik·ka·hên — To serve as priest; perform priestly dutiesH3547 — Full Word Study → of the LORDלַיהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 15And Jeroboam appointedוַיַּֽעֲמֶד־way·ya·‘ă·meḏ- — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → his own priestsכֹּֽהֲנִ֔יםkō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → for the high placesלַבָּמ֖וֹתlab·bā·mō·wṯ — High place; elevated worship siteH1116 — Full Word Study → and for the goat demonsוְלַשְּׂעִירִ֑יםwə·laś·śə·‘î·rîm — he-goat; hairy or rough creatureH8163 — Full Word Study → and calf idolsוְלָעֲגָלִ֖יםwə·lā·‘ă·ḡā·lîm — A young bull or calfH5695 — Full Word Study → he had madeעָשָֽׂה׃‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →. 16Those from everyמִכֹּל֙mik·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → tribeשִׁבְטֵ֣יšiḇ·ṭê — tribe; staff; scepter; rodH7626 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → who had setהַנֹּֽתְנִים֙han·nō·ṯə·nîm — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → their heartsלְבָבָ֔םlə·ḇā·ḇām — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study → to seekלְבַקֵּ֕שׁlə·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → theirיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → followed the Levites to Jerusalemיְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → to sacrificeלִזְבּ֕וֹחַliz·bō·w·aḥ — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, the Godאֱלֹהֵ֥י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of their fathersאֲבוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃’ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·hem — H1 — Full Word Study →. 17So they strengthenedוַֽיְחַזְּקוּ֙way·ḥaz·zə·qū — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → the kingdomמַלְכ֣וּתmal·ḵūṯ — kingdom, royal rule, sovereigntyH4438 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֔הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and supportedוַֽיְאַמְּצ֛וּway·’am·mə·ṣū — To strengthen, make firm, or be courageousH553 — Full Word Study → Rehoboamרְחַבְעָ֥םrə·ḥaḇ·‘ām — He Enlarges the PeopleH7346 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Solomonשְׁלֹמֹ֖הšə·lō·mōh — His peaceH8010 — Full Word Study → for threeשָׁל֑וֹשׁšā·lō·wōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → yearsלְשָׁנִ֣יםlə·šā·nîm — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they walkedהָֽלְכ֗וּhā·lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → for threeשָׁלֽוֹשׁ׃šā·lō·wōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → yearsלְשָׁנִ֥יםlə·šā·nîm — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → in the wayבְּדֶ֧רֶךְbə·ḏe·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of Davidדָּוִ֛ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → and Solomonוּשְׁלֹמֹ֖הū·šə·lō·mōh — His peaceH8010 — Full Word Study →. 18And Rehoboamרְחַבְעָם֙rə·ḥaḇ·‘ām — He Enlarges the PeopleH7346 — Full Word Study → marriedוַיִּֽקַּֽח־way·yiq·qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → Mahalathמָ֣חֲלַ֔תmā·ḥă·laṯ — Sickness or diseaseH4258 — Full Word Study →, who was the daughter of David’sדָּוִ֑ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → Jerimothיְרִימ֖וֹתyə·rî·mō·wṯ — Jehovah exaltsH3406 — Full Word Study → and of Abihailאֲבִיהַ֕יִל’ă·ḇî·ha·yil — Abihail—father is might; a personal nameH32 — Full Word Study →, the daughterבַּת־baṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Jesse’sיִשָֽׁי׃yi·šāy — Jesse, father of DavidH3448 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → Eliabאֱלִיאָ֖ב’ĕ·lî·’āḇ — God is my fatherH446 — Full Word Study →. 19She boreוַתֵּ֥לֶדwat·tê·leḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → sonsבָּנִ֑יםbā·nîm — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → to him: Jeushיְע֥וּשׁyə·‘ūš — Jeush, a descendant nameH3266 — Full Word Study →, Shemariahשְׁמַרְיָ֖הšə·mar·yāh — God guards; Yahweh guardsH8114 — Full Word Study →, and Zahamזָֽהַם׃zā·ham — Filth or uncleanH2093 — Full Word Study →. 20After herוְאַחֲרֶ֣יהָwə·’a·ḥă·re·hā — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →, he marriedלָקַ֔חlā·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → Maacahמַעֲכָ֖הma·‘ă·ḵāh — Oppression or pressureH4601 — Full Word Study → daughterבַּת־baṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Absalomאַבְשָׁל֑וֹם’aḇ·šā·lō·wm — Absalom, David's son; father of peaceH53 — Full Word Study →, and she boreוַתֵּ֣לֶדwat·tê·leḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → to him Abijahאֲבִיָּה֙’ă·ḇî·yāh — Abijah; My Father is YahwehH29 — Full Word Study →, Attaiעַתַּ֔י‘at·tay — Timely, suitableH6262 — Full Word Study →, Zizaזִיזָ֖אzî·zā — Brightness, radianceH2124 — Full Word Study →, and Shelomithשְׁלֹמִֽית׃šə·lō·mîṯ — Shelomith, a personal name meaning 'peaceful' or 'complete'H8019 — Full Word Study →. 21Rehoboamרְחַבְעָ֜םrə·ḥaḇ·‘ām — He Enlarges the PeopleH7346 — Full Word Study → lovedוַיֶּאֱהַ֨בway·ye·’ĕ·haḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → Maacahמַעֲכָ֣הma·‘ă·ḵāh — Oppression or pressureH4601 — Full Word Study → daughterבַת־ḇaṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Absalomאַבְשָׁל֗וֹם’aḇ·šā·lō·wm — Absalom, David's son; father of peaceH53 — Full Word Study → more than allמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → his wivesנָשָׁיו֙nā·šāw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → and concubinesוּפִ֣ילַגְשָׁ֔יוū·p̄î·laḡ·šāw — A woman in a secondary or concubine relationship, below the status of a wifeH6370 — Full Word Study →. In all, he hadנָשָׂ֔אnā·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → eighteenשְׁמוֹנֶֽה־šə·mō·w·neh- — The number eight; eighth in sequenceH8083 — Full Word Study → wivesנָשִׁ֤יםnā·šîm — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → and sixtyשִׁשִּׁ֑יםšiš·šîm — The number sixty; three scoreH8346 — Full Word Study → concubinesוּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖יםū·p̄î·laḡ·šîm — A woman in a secondary or concubine relationship, below the status of a wifeH6370 — Full Word Study →, and he was the fatherוַיּ֗וֹלֶדway·yō·w·leḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → of twenty-eightעֶשְׂרִ֧ים‘eś·rîm — The number twenty; a complete group or scoreH6242 — Full Word Study → sonsבָּנִ֖יםbā·nîm — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and sixtyוְשִׁשִּׁ֥יםwə·šiš·šîm — The number sixty; three scoreH8346 — Full Word Study → daughtersבָּנֽוֹת׃bā·nō·wṯ — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →. 22Rehoboamרְחַבְעָ֛םrə·ḥaḇ·‘ām — He Enlarges the PeopleH7346 — Full Word Study → appointedוַיַּֽעֲמֵ֨דway·ya·‘ă·mêḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → Abijahאֲבִיָּ֥ה’ă·ḇî·yāh — Abijah; My Father is YahwehH29 — Full Word Study → sonבֶֽן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Maacahמַעֲכָ֖הma·‘ă·ḵāh — Oppression or pressureH4601 — Full Word Study → as chiefלָרֹ֧אשׁlā·rōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → princeלְנָגִ֣ידlə·nā·ḡîḏ — Leader, chief, or ruler with authorityH5057 — Full Word Study → among his brothersבְּאֶחָ֑יוbə·’e·ḥāw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →, intending to make him kingלְהַמְלִיכֽוֹ׃lə·ham·lî·ḵōw — to reign; to rule as kingH4427 — Full Word Study →. 23Rehoboam also acted wiselyוַיָּבֶן֩way·yā·ḇen — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → by dispersingוַיִּפְרֹ֨ץway·yip̄·rōṣ — to break through, breach, or burst forthH6555 — Full Word Study → some of his sonsבָּנָ֜יוbā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → throughoutמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the districtsאַרְצ֧וֹת’ar·ṣō·wṯ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֣הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Benjaminוּבִנְיָמִ֗ןū·ḇin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study →, and to allלְֽכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the fortifiedהַמְּצֻר֔וֹתham·mə·ṣu·rō·wṯ — Fortified city or fortress; a strongholdH4694 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרֵ֣י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. He gaveוַיִּתֵּ֥ןway·yit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → them abundantלָרֹ֑בlā·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → provisionsהַמָּז֖וֹןham·mā·zō·wn — Food; sustenance; provisions for eatingH4202 — Full Word Study → and soughtוַיִּשְׁאַ֖לway·yiš·’al — to ask, request, inquire, or demandH7592 — Full Word Study → manyהֲמ֥וֹןhă·mō·wn — Crowd, tumult, noise, abundanceH1995 — Full Word Study → wives for themנָשִֽׁים׃nā·šîm — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 2 Chronicles 11
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Chapter Overview

After the kingdom of Israel splits into North and South following Solomon's death, King Rehoboam of Judah initially seeks to reclaim the northern tribes by military force. However, God intervenes through the prophet Shemaiah, calling Rehoboam to accept the division as His sovereign will. This chapter shows how Rehoboam responds to this divine correction by fortifying Judah's defenses, welcoming faithful priests and Levites who reject Jeroboam's false worship, and—for a season—walking in the way of David and Solomon. Yet it also hints at vulnerabilities that will later undermine the kingdom, including Rehoboam's many marriages and dynastic ambitions.

Verses 1-4: God Stops a Civil War

Rehoboam gathers 180,000 warriors to wage war against the northern kingdom under Jeroboam. His intention is clear: restore the united monarchy under his rule. But before a single sword is drawn, the word of the LORD comes through Shemaiah the prophet with a command that reverses everything. God tells Rehoboam and all Israel in Judah and Benjamin: "Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me" (v. 4). This is a watershed moment. The division is not an accident or a political failure—it is the Lord's doing. Remarkably, the people obey immediately, and the armies disband without battle. This demonstrates the power of prophetic Word and the people's willingness to submit to God's direction, at least in this moment.

Verses 5-12: Building a Kingdom of Defense

Rather than wage external war, Rehoboam turns his attention inward, strengthening Judah's borders through fortification. He builds or rebuilds fifteen strategic cities (vv. 6-10), including Bethlehem, Tekoa, Bethzur, Lachish, and others—a network of defensive strongholds stretching across Judah and Benjamin. He stocks them with commanders, food, oil, and wine, and equips them with shields and spears (vv. 11-12). This is prudent statecraft: accept God's will regarding the kingdom's division, but defend what remains. Rehoboam shows wisdom in pivoting from conquest to consolidation, building infrastructure that will serve Judah for generations.

Verses 13-17: The Migration of the Faithful

A crucial development follows: priests and Levites from throughout Israel abandon their homes and migrate southward to Judah (v. 13). This is not a small matter. Jeroboam had established his own priesthood and false worship centers, installing priests for "the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made" (v. 15). Faithful Levites cannot compromise, so they leave their livelihoods to serve in Jerusalem. They are joined by others from all tribes "such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel" (v. 16). This influx of faithful worshipers—both clergy and laity—strengthens the kingdom of Judah (v. 17). For three years, Rehoboam and his people "walked in the way of David and Solomon," enjoying a season of blessing grounded in true worship and obedience.

Verses 18-23: Seeds of Future Trouble

The chapter concludes with details of Rehoboam's family life that foreshadow complications ahead. He takes eighteen wives and sixty concubines, fathering twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters (v. 21). While he strategically distributes his sons throughout the fortified cities to secure support (v. 23), his favoritism toward Maachah's son Abijah—whom he designates as chief heir—sows seeds of potential conflict. Though described as dealing "wisely," Rehoboam's polygamy and dynastic maneuvering hint at the worldly values creeping back in even during this period of outward faithfulness.

Application for Today

God sometimes calls us to accept circumstances we did not choose, redirecting our energy toward faithfulness rather than resistance. When plans fail, we are invited to trust that God's purposes stand firm. Like the Levites, may we prioritize worship and obedience over comfort or convenience, knowing that true strength comes through alignment with God's kingdom, not through the power we accumulate on our own terms.

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