2 Chronicles 12

Notes on the verses

(2 Chronicles 11)The first four verses of this chapter are a continuation of (1 Kings 12)from ver. 21—24. To ver. 11—15. we have no parallel passage, but it is merely a list of the towns which Rehoboam fortified. Ver. 6. Bethlehem.—[Bethlehem, called Bethlehem Judah, (Su. xvii. 7.) to distinguish it from another Bethlehem in Zebulun, ((Joshua 19:15).) and also Ephratah, (i.e. fruitful,) and by the Arabs, Batt-ellahm, is situated on a rising ground on the southern side of a deep and extensive valley, and reclining from E. to W. not quite six miles S. of Jerusalem. The surrounding country is full of hills and valleys; and the soil is the best in all these districts: fruits, vines, olives, and sesamum, succeed extremely well.

The village contains about 300 inhabitants, the greater part of whom gain their livelihood by making beads, carving mother of pearl shells with sacred subjects, and manufacturing small tables and crucifixes.]—Bagster. Ver. 14. The priests and Levites….. in all Israel resorted.—Jeroboam perceiving the tribe of Levi faithful to God and to their king, expelled them from the land of Judah whereby Rehoboam was greatly strengthened. Ver. 15. He ordained priests for the high places.—Which were now generally resorted to instead of the sacred temple; and not only so, but “for his devils, and the calves.” By the former are doubtless meant, Pan and See (Leviticus 17:7), For the “calves,” and for Jeroboam’s teraphs, or wood-demons.

To motive in erecting them, we must refer to the parallel history. There is no doubt but that Jeroboam was well schooled in the idolatry of Egypt, while he remained there; yet it is evident that they were not intended to represent Apis, because he says, “Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (2 Chronicles 12)This chapter opens with the apostacy of Rehoboam, as already mentioned, (1 Kings 14:22-25). A:: Ver. 2. Shishak, here mentioned, is said by Rabbi Sol. Jarchi to be Pharaoh-necho; but is supposed by Sir Isaac Newton to have been the celebrated Ver. 5. Shemaiah the prophet.—This prophet has been already mentioned, as sent to Rehoboam on a former occasion; ch.

xi. 2. Ver. 13. Rehoboam was one and forty.—See note on (1 Kings 14:21). To what is there said, it should be added, that Rehoboam was evidently a young man when he began to reign. Ver. 15. Concerning genealogies.—“In the book of the genealogy of the family of David.”—Targum.