2 Chronicles 11:23

Contextual Overview

¹³ But all the priests and Levites living among the northern tribes of Israel sided with Rehoboam. ¹³ And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border. ¹³ And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border. ¹³ The priests and the Levites from all over Israel joined Rehoboam. ¹³ The priests and Levites who lived throughout Israel supported him, no matter where they resided. ¹³ And the priests and the Levites that [were] in all Israel resorted to him from all their borders. ¹³ The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border. ¹³Further, the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel took their stand with Rehoboam from all their districts. ¹³ And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel presented themselves to him from all places where they lived. ¹³ Sotheli the preestis and dekenes, that weren in al Israel, camen to hym fro alle her seetis,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he dealt: 2 Chronicles 10:8-15, Luke 16:8

dispersed: 2 Chronicles 21:3, Genesis 25:6, 1 Kings 1:5, 1 Kings 1:6

every fenced city: 2 Chronicles 11:11

many wives: Heb. a multitude of wives, 2 Chronicles 11:21

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 17:19 - put in

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he dealt wisely,.... Acted a prudent part, in order to execute his scheme, and particularly by disposing of his other sons in different parts of his kingdom, as follows: or "he made him his son Abijah to understand" e; he taught and instructed him in the art of government, took a particular care of his education, that he might be fitted for it; and he might instruct him how to behave towards his brethren, for the present and hereafter, as well as towards all the people in general: or "he (Abijah) understood" f; had more understanding and wisdom than all the children of Rehoboam; though it seems best to interpret it of Rehoboam himself, since it follows:

and disposed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city; to be governors thereof, in whose hands he could better trust them than in any other; or else, by thus separating them, they would not be able to enter into combination against Abijah; but then he must at the same time appoint some persons to watch and observe them; or otherwise, having such, strong places in their possession, they might rebel against him; the Targum is,

"he built and repaired the cities, and appointed of all his children throughout all the countries of the house of Judah, to all the fortified cities;''

that is, to have the command of them:

and he gave them victual in abundance; that they might have no reason to complain, and might be able to hold out a siege against an enemy, should they be attacked:

and he desired many wives; either for himself, or rather for his son, since he himself had many; or "Abijah desired, or asked g many wives" of their parents, or of those who had the dispose of them, in imitation of his father.

e ותבן "erudire faciebat", Pagninus, Grotius; "docuit", Vatablus. f "lntellexit", Piscator. g ישאל "petivit", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "postulavit", Piscator.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Rehoboam’s wisdom was shown:

(1) In dispersing his other sons instead of allowing them to remain together in Jerusalem, where they might have joined in a plot against Abijah, as Adonijah and his brothers had done against Solomon 1 Kings 1:5-10;

(2) In giving his sons positions which might well content them and prevent them from being jealous of Abijah.

He desired many wives - (Compare 2 Chronicles 11:21). Some prefer to connect the words with the preceding words. If so, they denote another point in which Rehoboam was careful to please his sons.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Chronicles 11:23. He dealt wisely — It was true policy to disperse his own sons through the different provinces who were not likely to form any league with Jeroboam against their father.

He desired many wives. — He was much addicted to women; yet we do not find that he formed any heathenish alliances of this nature. And as no particulars are given, we do not know how far he indulged himself in this propensity. He probably strengthened his political connections by these means.