2 Chronicles 11

2 Chronicles 11:1-12

We have here, 1. A step put to Rehoboam’s design to reduce the ten tribes, by a message from God, ver. 1—4. 2. His successful endeavours to preserve the two tribes that remained, ver. 5—12. 3. The report of the priests and Levites to him, ver. 13—17. 4. An account of his wives and children, ver. 18—23.

AND when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin.

Jamin, an hundred and fourfcore thousand chosen men which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. 2. But the word of the LORD came to ‘Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3. Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4. Thus faith the LORD, ‘Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house, for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam. 5. ¶ And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and ‘built cities for defence in Judah. 6. He built even Beth-lehem, and Esam, and Teksas. 7. And Beth-eur, and Shoen, and Adullam, 8. And Gath, and Marethah, and Ziph, 9. And Adoraim, and Lachiith, and Azekah, 10. And Zorah, and Ajalom, and Hebron, which are in Judah, and in Benjamin, fenced cities. 11. And he fortified the strong-holds, and put captains in them, and store of vidual, and of oil and wine. 12. And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

Though Rehoboam had been unsuccessful in his attempt to reduce the people by fair words, does a. 13. he resolved to try the sword before Jeroboam was strengthened in his kingdom: and he soon raised out of Judah and Benjamin a formidable force. But,

1. On the prophet’s warning, he disbanded them, v. 4. Nate, it is vain to refill Divine decrees. Opposition will only issue in our greater confusion.

2. He fortified his country, weakened by such a defection; and as many of the loyal Israelites, as well as the Levites, v. 13. chose to live under his government, they might be fixed in some of the cities he built. Nate, When our loss is irrecoverable, it is our wisdom to make the best use of what remains.

3. ¶ And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel, restored to him out of all their coasts. 14. (For the Levites left ’their suburbs, and their possessions, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for ‘Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the LORD. 15. And ‘he ordained him priests for the high places, and ‘for the devis, and for the calves which he had made.) 16. And ‘after them out of all the tribes of Israel, such as ‘fet their hearts to feek the LORD God of Israel, came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers. 17. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: ‘for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon. 18. ¶ And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jarmoth the son of David to wife, and Abhail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jeffe: 19. Which bare him children: Jeuth, and Shamariah, and Zaham. 20. And after her, he took ‘Mauchah the daughter of Abfalom, which bare him Abiah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. 21. And Rehoboam loved ‘Mauchah the daughter of Abfalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threefcore concubines, and begat twenty and eight sons, and threefcore daughters) 22. And Rehoboam ‘made Abiah the son of ‘Mauchah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king: 23. And he dealt wisely, and ‘dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance: and he desired ‘many wives.

2 Chronicles 11:12-23

We have here.

1. The noble conduct of the priests and Levites. Since their country was become idolatrous, and they were no more permitted to exercise their sacred functions at home, or to go up in course to Jerusalem, they quitted their cities, and the lands assigned them; rather chusing to suffer any hardships, thus he debarred from God’s service, which they raised above all possessions. Their brethren of Judah gladly received and entertained them. Nate, (1.) The enjoyment of the free car-cite of our religion cannot be too deadly purchased. (2.) Better is it to beg our bread from door to door with a good conscience, thus by such compliances secure ease and affluence. (3.) They who for the sake of God forsake all, shall one day find themselves no losers. (4.) They should be received with open arms,

and treated with every kindness, who suffering for conscience. Before God 37a.

2. Many pious Israelites followed their example, and rather chose to forsake all, than be destitute of the pastors thus driven from them. Nate, (1.) They who know the value of their fooths, will prefer the care of them to every consideration. (2.) When God’s ministers are persecuted and cast out, we must still adhere to them, and share with them in weal and woe. (3.) Trying seasons of persecution serve to separate the precious from the vice.

3. Israel lost, and Judah gained exceedingly by them. They added not only strength by their numbers, but more by the blessing which attended them. Three years they walked in the way of David, but afterwards Rehoboam, and they led by his example, grievously turned aside, and lost thereby the Divine protection. Nate, (1.) All persecution is as impolitic as it is wicked. (2.) We can only expect support, while we continue faithful to God. (3.) Many a refugee in the place of his asylum, hath found greater danger from ease and peace, than from the sword of the pernicious.

4. Rehoboam following the unjustifiable example of his fathers, greatly multiplied his wives, and increased his family. However, he chose to march among his brethren, and those chiefly of the seed royal, and took not strange wives, as Solomon. Abiah his son, by ‘Mauchah the daughter of Abfalom, (not the son of David, See 1 Kings: xv. 2. and xiii. 2.) was appointed his successor, and his other sons dispersed in the several cities of Judah and Benjamin, as persons he could confide in.