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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 HenryConcise 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 WesleyExplanatory Notes on 2 Chronicles

 

11 Chapter 11

 

Verses 1-23


Verses 1-4

2 Chronicles 11:1-4

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

2 Chronicles 11:17

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