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2
Chronicles Chapter Eleven
2 Chronicles 11
Chapter Contents
Rehoboam forbidden to war against Israel. (1-12) The
priests and Levites find refuge in Judah. (13-23)
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 11:1-12
(Read 2 Chronicles 11:1-12)
A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of
Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back.
And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to
us. Even those who are destitute of true faith, will at times pay some regard
to the word of God, and be kept by it from wrong actions, to which they are
prone by nature.
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 11:13-23
(Read 2 Chronicles 11:13-23)
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the
devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the
Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to
Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of
the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for
our souls; in all our choices, religious advantages must be sought before all
outward conveniences. Where God's faithful priests are, his faithful people
should be. And when it has been proved that we are willing to renounce our worldly
interests, so far as we are called to do so for the sake of Christ and his
gospel, we have good evidence that we are truly his disciples. And it is the
interest of a nation to protect religion and religious people.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 Chronicles》
2 Chronicles 11
Verse 3
[3] Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah,
and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
Son of Solomon — Intimating, that this was
determined for the sin of Solomon, and therefore could not be reversed.
Verse 5
[5] And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for
defence in Judah.
Built — Repaired, enlarged, and fortified them. They were
built before.
Verse 14
[14] For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession,
and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off
from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:
Cast them off — They would not suffer them to
instruct the Israelites in the worship of God, nor to go up to Jerusalem to
worship in their courses: and these priests would not join with them in the
worship of the calves, as they were commanded to do; and therefore they,
willingly forsook all their patrimonies and possessions for God's sake. No
secular advantages whatsoever should detain us there, where we are in danger of
making shipwreck of faith and a good conscience.
Verse 15
[15] And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for
the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
High places — Or, for the high places, both for
the devils (the Baals, or false gods, which divers of his people worshipped,
whom he encouraged to do so, giving them liberty to do anything but to serve
God at Jerusalem) and for the calves. So he erected two sorts of high places,
some for Baal, and some for the true God, whom be pretended to worship, in and
by the calves.
Verse 16
[16] And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as
set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice
unto the LORD God of their fathers.
Set their heart — Such as loved and feared God in
truth.
Verse 17
[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.
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah — Not only by the
addition of so many persons to it: but by their piety and prayers they procured
a blessing upon the kingdom which was a sanctuary to them. They made him strong
three years; for so long he served God; but when he forsook God, none could
strengthen him. We retain our strength as long as we cleave to God and our
duty, and no longer.
And Solomon — This honourable mention of
Solomon, as a pattern of piety, is a considerable evidence of his true
repentance before his death.
Verse 22
[22] And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief,
to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
Ruler — He declared him his successor, and gave him the
dominion over, his brethren.
Verse 23
[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.
Dispersed — Lest his other sons should after
his death unite together against Abijah, he wisely dispersed them into distant
places.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 2 Chronicles》
11 Chapter 11
Verses 1-23
Verses 1-4
Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren.
The restraints of Divine providence
I. Restraints made
unmistakably clear.
II. Restraints
merciful in design.
III. Restraints
timely made.
IV. Restraints
implicitly heeded. (J. Wolfendale.)
Uninsured preparations
Pity it is that God seems to allow us to go to such costs and then
stops us just at the last moment. "Ye shall not go up." There is pity
in the arrangement, but it is not on the side of God. It is a pity that we did
not consult God before we called the enemy together. He will be consulted at
one end. He wishes to be consulted at the beginning, but if we will not consult
Him there, we must consult Him at the end. Our preparations amount to nothing
if they are not inspired. All our education comes to smoke and wind if it be
not an education derived from the altar and enriched with the wisdom of God.
Send out a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men from academy and college
and university, loaded with the blank cartridges of ten thousand certificates
and testimonials; if the Lord is not in it He will send them all back again
until He calls for their aid. (J. Parks, D. D.)
Verse 17
For three years they walked in the way of David.
Experimental goodness
Three years of experimental goodness ought to be three years of
personal consolidation. To get three years ahead of the enemy ought to be a
great advantage. The doctors say that it takes three years to get drink really
out of a man's system and no man is safe until he has quite passed the line of
three years. These critical times in life are the making of life, when they are
really seized aright as to their spirit and highest significance. (J. Parks,
D. D.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》