Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 11

Introduction

The first four verses of this chapter are nearly identical with 1 Kings 12:21-24, where see notes. REHOBOAM’S FORTIFIED CITIES, 2 Chronicles 11:5-12.

“Precluded by the Divine command from assailing his adversary, Rehoboam was obliged to stand on the defensive. He felt himself between two dangers: on the north he might be attacked by Jeroboam; on the south by Jeroboam’s ally, Egypt. From this side was the greatest peril, and to this quarter therefore was his main attention directed. Out of the fifteen cities fortified, all but three were on the southern or western frontier, where Egypt would be most likely to attack.” Rawlinson.

Verse 6

6. Beth-lehem The city of David and of Christ. See on Ruth 1:1; Matthew 2:1.

Etam Identified by Dr. Robinson with the ruined village Urtas, about a mile south of Beth-lehem. Here he found “traces of an ancient site the foundations of a square tower, a low thick wall of large squared stones, rocks hewn and scarped, and the like.” Tobler, however, identifies Etam with Ain Attan, a little-south-west of Urtas. Comp. note on Judges 15:8.

Tekoa Twelve miles south of Jerusalem. See on 2 Samuel 14:2. All three of these places are mentioned in the Septuagint version of Joshua 15:59, but are wanting in the Hebrew text.

Verse 7

7. Beth-zur… Soco… Adullam See Joshua 15:35; Joshua 15:58.

Verse 8

8. Gath See note on 1 Samuel 5:8.

Mareshah… Ziph Joshua 15:44; Joshua 15:55.

Verse 9

9. Adoraim Not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture, but several times in Josephus, and once in the Apocrypha. 1Ma 13:20 . Robinson considered its site identical with the modern Dura, some five miles southwest of Hebron.

Lachish See on Joshua 10:3.

Azekah Joshua 15:35. Its site is unknown.

Verse 10

10. Zorah See on Joshua 15:33.

Aijalon See on 1 Samuel 14:31.

Hebron Joshua 10:3.

In Judah and in Benjamin That is. these cities were in the territory now ruled by the kingdom of Judah and Benjamin. None of them were in the tribe-territory of Benjamin, but Benjamin is here mentioned as being identified with the kingdom of Rehoboam. Comp. 2Ch 11:1 ; 2 Chronicles 11:12; 2 Chronicles 11:23.

THE LEVITES RESORT TO JERUSALEM, 2 Chronicles 11:13-17.

Having mentioned how Rehoboam strengthened the natural defenses of his kingdom, the writer proceeds to show how he received additional strength, of a moral character, by the general coming to him of the priests and Levites, and pious Israelites from all the tribes. Jeroboam’s institution of the calf worship at Beth-el and Dan naturally drove the regular priests and Levites from the northern kingdom. See note on 1 Kings 12:31.

Verse 14

14. For Jeroboam… cast them off The priests and Levites probably opposed Jeroboam’s innovations, and for that reason suffered persecution, and many of them may have been obliged to leave their suburbs and possessions.

Verse 15

15. Ordained him priests See on 1 Kings 12:31.

For the devils לשׂעירים , for the goats. The word is translated satyrs in Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:14, and is supposed to have been a goat-shaped deity, a wood-demon, that dwelt in desert places, and was to be appeased by Divine worship. “This superstition,” says Furst, “was probably derived from Egypt, where a goat, ( Josephus, Apion, 2:7 ,) or Pan, who was depicted with a goat’s head and feet, ( Herod., 2:46, 145,) was worshipped.” The word is used in Leviticus 4:24; Leviticus 16:9; Numbers 7:16; Numbers 15:24, for the he goat that was sacrificed as a sin offering; but Jeroboam probably meant to recognize and introduce the superstitions of Egypt, and set up images of Pan as well as the calves, though probably not until after his people had become familiar with the calf worship. Comp. note on 1 Kings 12:28.

Verse 16

16. After them… such as set their hearts to seek the Lord The more pious Israelites, like the seven thousand that would not worship Baal, (1 Kings 19:18,) were disgusted with Jeroboam’s innovations, and followed their priests and Levites to Jerusalem.

Verse 17

17. Three years That is, the kingdom of Judah was strengthened physically and morally by military defenses, and by the resort of the Levites and the purer Israelites to Jerusalem, and continued thus strong for three years. Then began that forsaking of the law (2 Chronicles 12:1) which was punished by Shishak’s invasion.

REHOBOAM’S FAMILY, 2 Chronicles 11:18-23.

Verse 18

18. Jerimoth the son of David Since Jerimoth is nowhere else mentioned among the sons of David, he is generally supposed to have been a son of one of David’s concubines.

Verse 21

21. Eighteen wives, and threescore concubines See note on 1 Kings 11:3. Rehoboam imitated, but did not go to the extent of, his father’s polygamy. In the number of sons and daughters, however, he far excelled his father.

Verse 22

22. Made Abijah… chief… to make him king So he, like his grandfather David, did not select and nominate his oldest son and legal heir (comp. Deuteronomy 21:15-17) for the throne, but the son of his favourite wife.

Verse 23

23. He dealt wisely That is, with his other sons, so as to avert the dangers that might have otherwise accrued. Had he not been shrewd and careful so to scatter his children, and give them princely livings in separate cities, they might have had abundant opportunity to become jealous of Abijah, and to plot rebellion.

Gave them victuals in abundance So that they might live in princely state, and have no desire to attempt to gain the crown.

He desired many wives Rather, he asked for a multitude of wives; that is, wives for his sons, that he might thus further promote their pleasure and contentment. In all these measures Rehoboam showed himself a shrewd and skillful ruler.