Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 12

Introduction

This chapter runs parallel with Kings (see the marginal reference), but considerably enlarges the narrative.

Verse 1

All Israel with him - i. e., “all Judah and Benjamin” - all the Israelites of those two tribes.

Verse 2

Shishak ... came up ... because they had transgressed - The writer speaks from a divine, not a human, point of view. Shishak’s motive in coming up was to help Jeroboam, and to extend his own influence.

Verse 3

twelve hundred chariots - This number is not unusnal (compare Exodus 14:7; 1 Kings 10:26). Benhadad brought 1,200 chariots into the field against Shalmaneser II; and Ahabhad at the same time a force of 2,000 chariots (compare the 1 Kings 20:1 note).

The Lubims or “Libyans” Daniel 11:43, were a people of Africa, distinct from the Egyptians and the Ethiopians dwelling in their immediate neighborhood. They were called Ribu or Libu by the Egyptians. See Genesis 10:13.

Sukkiims - This name does not occur elsewhere. The Septuagint, who rendered the word “Troglodytes,” regarded the Sukkiim probably as the “cave-dwellers” along the western shore of the Red Sea; but the conjecture that the word means “tent-dwellers” is plausible, and would point rather to a tribe of Arahs (Scenitae).

Verse 4

See 1 the Kings 14:25 note.

Verse 6

They said, The Lord is righteous - i. e., they acknowledged the justice of the sentence which had gone forth against them 2 Chronicles 12:5.

Verse 7

Compare the repentance of Ahab (marginal reference) and that of the Ninevites Jonah 3:5-10 which produced similar revocations of divine decrees that had been pronounced by the mouth of a prophet.

Some deliverance - Rather, “deliverance for a short space” (see the margin). Because of the repentance, the threat cf immediate destruction was withdrawn; but the menace was still left impending, that the people might be the more moved to contrition and amendment.

Verse 8

That they may know my service, and the service of the kingdom - i. e., that they may contrast the light burthen of the theocracy with the heavy yoke of a foreign monarch.

Verse 14

He prepared not his heart ... - See the margin. Rehoboam’s sin was want of earnestness and consistency.