2 Chronicles 11

2 Chronicles 11:1

Chosen. Septuagint, “young,” (Haydock) as the Hebrew term also signifies. (Tirinus) — His. Hebrew, “the kingdom again to Roboam.”

2 Chronicles 11:4

Will, to punish the disorders of Solomon, &c. See 3 Kings xii. 24., and Genesis xlv. 8. God knows how to draw good out of evil, without approving the misconduct of men. (Haydock)

2 Chronicles 11:5

Juda. This was now become a frontier country, and both kings were forced to erect fortifications, 3 Kings xii. 25.

2 Chronicles 11:6

Etam, famous for fine waters and gardens, (Josephus, [Antiquities?] viii. 2.) about ten miles from Jerusalem, on the road to Hebron. It was fortified against the inroads of Simeon and Dan. (Calmet)

2 Chronicles 11:11

Governors, of a military character. Hebrew, “captains, (Tirinus) and store of provisions, (wheat) and of oil,” &c., such as would be requisite in a siege.

2 Chronicles 11:14

Off. This was done at different times; so that almost all the Levites took refuge in the dominions of Juda. Yet some prevaricated. Ezechiel (xliv. 12.) only exempts the family of Sadoc. (Calmet) — The rest set before us a noble example to endure temporal loss, rather than to neglect the practice of religion, or to conform to a false one. (Worthington)

2 Chronicles 11:15

Devils. Hebrew, “goats.” (Calmet) — Septuagint express this by two names, “for the idols, and for the fools.” (Haydock) — The Mendesians of Egypt, solemnly worshipped the goat; and Pan was represented nearly in the same form. Yet it is probable that the Hebrews style the idols by this name out of derision, 3 Kings xv. 2. (Calmet)

2 Chronicles 11:16

CHAPTER XI.

2 Chronicles 11:17

They, the pious refugees. (Tirinus) (Chap. xv. 9.) — Solomon, while virtuous. — Only is not expressed in Hebrew or Septuagint, but it is sufficiently implied.

2 Chronicles 11:18

Daughter. Hebrew ban, “the son.” But bath, “daughter,” (Haydock) occurs properly in some manuscripts, as in the ancient versions. Leusden has here this very odd note: “perhaps by ban, (with a pathah) here both sexes may be understood.” Forte per ban hic intelligitur uterque sexus. (Kennicott) — Protestants substitute, “daughter.” (Haydock)

2 Chronicles 11:20

Daughter, or grand-daughter, by Thamar, 3 Kings xv. 2. (Calmet)

2 Chronicles 11:22

Head. Septuagint, “prince.” (Haydock) — Grotius maintains that Abia was the eldest. But all others are of a contrary opinion, and believe that Roboam derogated from the law, (Deuteronomy xxi. 16.; Calmet) as David had done, unless it was left to the option of the king to appoint whom he pleased for his successor. (Haydock) — Meant. Protestants supply, " he thought " which is found in the Septuagint.

2 Chronicles 11:23

Because. Septuagint, “And he was magnified above….and he gave them abundance,” &c. This may be all understood of Abia. But Hebrew rather speaks of his father: “And he acted wisely, and dispersed all his other children, throughout the countries of Juda;” (Haydock) keeping them at a distance, to prevent any commotion, (Calmet) but making ample provision and procuring wives for them, perhaps at no small cost, as few might wish to be thus prisoners at large. (Tirinus) — It was probably then the custom to educate the royal children in the noblest families. See 4 Kings x. 1. (Calmet) — This would also tend to increase their father’s influence, and to make them better acquainted with the country, that they might be able to communicate all necessary intelligence. (Haydock) — Pagnin and Vatable insinuate, that Roboam “caused to be educated and dispersed some of all his children, throughout all the lands of Juda.” (Menochius)