2 Chronicles 11

Rehabeam attempteth to make war upon the Israelites v.1. &c. but he is forbidden to do it from God by Semaja the Prophet, 2. He buildeth strong holds, which he furnisheth with all manner of store, 5. Receiveth, and entertaineth the Priests and Levites, who forsook Israel because of Jerobeams idolatry, 13. He taketh many wives and concubines, by whom he getteth many children, 18. Whom he maketh Governours of his fenced cities, 23.

1. Now when Rehabeam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered (of) the house of Juda, [i.e. of the tribe of Juda. See 1 Kings 15.on vers.27.] and Benjamin, [understand that part of this tribe, which followed the tribe of Juda] an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen (men) exercised in war, [or, practicing war; Hebr. Making war] to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehabeam. [see the further exposition of this chapter, 1 Kings 12:21, etc.]

2. But the word of the LORD came to Semaja the man of God, [i.e. Prophet. See Judg.13.on ver.6.] saying;

3. Speak unto Rehabeam the son the son of Salomon, the king of Juda; and to all Israel in Juda and Benjamin, [That is, that dwelt in Juda and Benjamin, and were Rehabeam subjects, called, 1 Kings 12:23. the remanant of the people.]

4. Thus saith the LORD; ye shall not march up, nor fight against your brethren, [Namely, the children of Israel; which exposition is expressed, 1 Kings 12:24. They are called brethren that are of one nation and people, Exod.2.11. Lev.10.6. Deut.5.12. Rom.9.3.] return every man to his house; for this thing is done of me: [see 1 Kings 12.on v.15.] and they hearkened to the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jerobeam.

5. Now Rehabeam dwelt at Jerusalem; [The metropolis, or chief city of his kingdom] and he built cities for strong holds [understand this principally of the fortifying of those cities, which were built before. So bel.chap.14.6. and 16.1,5.] in Juda. [that is, in that part of the land that yet sided with him, and remained under his jurisdiction, as especially the tribe of Juda, under which was also be reckoned a part of Simeon and of Benjamin.]

6. Now he built Bethlehem, [Lying in the tribe of Juda, and therefore called Bethlehem Juda, Mat.2.5,6. Distinguished from another Bethlehem lying in Zebulon, Jos.19.15. See Gen.35.on v.19. where this Bethlehem in Juda is also called Ephrata] and Etam, [a city in Simeon, about the west –border of the tribe of Juda, 1 Chron.4.31.32.] and Tekoa. [this city and the three following lay in Juda. See of these four, Jos.12.15. and 15.35,58. 2 Sam.14.2. 1 Chron.2.24. 45.]

7. And Beth-Zur, and Socho, and Adullam.

8. And Gath, [See of this city 1 Kings 2.on v.39.] and Maresa, [This city, and the four following lay in Juda. See of them Jos.10.10. and 15.24. 2 Kings 14:19. 1 Chron.2.42. and 4.21. Jer.34.7.] and Ziph.

9. And Adoraim, and Lachis, and Azeka.

10. And Zora, [We read of one Zora in the tribe of Juda, Jos.15.33. and of another in Dan, Josh.19.41.] and Ajalon, [there were also more cities of this name, but understand here an Ajalon in Benjamin and appertaining to the Kingdom of Juda. Compare Jos.19.42. 2 Chron.8.13.] and Hebron, [see Gen.23.on v.2.] which were in Juda, and in Benjamin the fenced cities.

11. And he fortified these strong-holds, and put Captains therein, [understand Governours, and Commanders, to whom he commited the keeping of those cities: and the land lying under them and about them: against all hostile invasion thereunto he chose his sons. See below ver.23.] and stored of victual, and oil, and wine.

12. And in every city [Heb. all (or every) city and city. See Gen.7.on v.2.] shields, and spears, [understand all manner of weapons or instruments of war, as well for offence as defence] and fortified them exceedingly; so Juda and Benjamin were on his side.

13. Moreover, the Priests, and the Levites that were in all Israel, [That is, which with their habitations were spread over all the dominion and kingdom of Jerobeam] restored to him out of all their borders.

14. For the Levites left their suburbs, and their possession, and came into Juda, and into Jerusalem: For Jerobeam and his sons had cast them off from administering the Priest-hood unto the LORD. [Compare 1 Kings 12 27, etc.]

15. And he had ordained him Priests for the high places, [To wit, which he had caused to be reared up to the honour and service of Idols, 1 Kings 12:31. Of the high places, see Lev.26.on ver.30.] and for the devils, [see Lev.17.on vers.7.] and for the calves, [see 1 Kings 12:28,29. And the annotate.] which he had made.

16. Also after them [Namely, the Levites, of whom is spoken in the foregoing 14.verse] came out of all the tribes of Israel unto Jerusalem, those that gave their heart, to seek the LORD the God of Israel, [that is, to learn to know him aright, to worship him purely, to call upon him servently, to obey him faithfully, and in all these to persevere constantly, to live with him forever hereafter. See below chap.15.2,12,15. Psa.69.33. Jerem.50.4. Amos 5:4.] to offer sacrifice unto the LORD the God of their Fathers.

17. SO they Strengthened the kingdom of Juda, and made Rehabeam the son of Salomon strong three years; for three years [After which time they forsook the LORD. See below chap.12.1.] they walked in the way of David, [see 1 Kings 15.on ver.26.] and Salomon. [the praise of piety is here attributed to Salomon in respect of the first years of his reign, or also in respect of the end of it: For it is conceived that before his death he turned from his sins and vanities, and for proof thereof seemeth to have written in his old age the book that is called Ecclesiastes, or, the Preacher. Consider especially the two last verses of the last chapter.]

18. And Rehabeam took him, besides [Of this word see 1 Kings 11.on vers.1.] Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth, the son of David, to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliah [called also Elihu, 1 Chron.27.18.] the son of Isai.

19. Which bare him sons; Jeus, and Semaria, and Zaham.

20. And after her he took Maacha [Called also Michaja, below chap.13.2.] the daughter of Absalom: [understand not King Davids son; for he died without leavening any children behind, but a certain man of Gibea, otherwise called Uriel, below chap.13.2.] this (woman) bare him Ahia, and Atthai, and Ziza, and Selomith.

21. And Rehabeam loved Maacha the daughter of Absalom above all his wives, and his concubines, [See Gen.22.on vers.24.] for he had taken eighteen wives, and threescore concubines: And he begat eight and twenty sons, and threescore daughters.

22. And Rehabeam made Ahia the son of Maacha an head, to be a Ruler among his brethren: [Wherein he offended against the law, Deut.21.15,16. Abia was not the first-born, as he seemeth not to have been, v.19. of this chapter, unless he had a special command from God by some Prophet to do this; whereof nothing is recorded] for it was to make him King.

23. And he dealt understandingly, (so) that he dispersed of all his sons thorough out all lands of Juda, and Benjamin, in all the fenced cities [Heb. he understood and dispersed, etc. to wit, being afraid of further revolt] to whom he gave victual in abundance; [to wit, to his sons, that they might not change or burden the people] and he desired a multitude of wives. [understand that either he desire many wives of the parents of them for his children, or also that he for his own part was prone and enclined to a multitude and plurality of wives.]