1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore 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 saith 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 defense in Judah.
6 He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
7 And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
8 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, 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 victual, 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.
13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
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:
15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
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.
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 Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
19 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah 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 Chapter 11 is part of the historical account of the kings of Judah, which is recorded in the second book of Chronicles in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible. This chapter specifically focuses on the reign of Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon, and the events that occurred during his rule. The chapter begins with Rehoboam's ascension to the throne of Judah and his subsequent actions, which ultimately led to the division of the kingdom of Israel. The main themes of this chapter include the consequences of pride and disobedience, the importance of seeking God's guidance and protection, and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.
The chapter opens with Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, becoming the king of Judah after his father's death. Rehoboam initially appears to be a promising and capable king, as he gathers an army of 180,000 men to defend the kingdom against an attack from the northern kingdom of Israel. However, his actions and decisions soon lead to disastrous consequences.
Rehoboam's first mistake is seeking counsel from his inexperienced and foolish friends instead of the wise and experienced elders who had served under his father, Solomon. This decision is a manifestation of his pride and arrogance, as he rejects the advice of those who could have provided him with sound guidance and wisdom. As a result, he chooses to follow the counsel of his friends, who advise him to rule with an iron fist and increase the burden on the people of Judah, instead of showing them mercy and compassion.
Rehoboam's decision to increase the people's burden and rule with an iron fist causes widespread discontent and rebellion among the people of Israel. Led by Jeroboam, a former servant of Solomon, the northern tribes of Israel reject Rehoboam's rule and declare their independence from the kingdom of Judah. This event marks the beginning of the division of the kingdom of Israel into two separate entities – the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.
The division of the kingdom is a significant event in the history of Israel, as it fulfills the prophecy of Ahijah, a prophet of God, who had predicted that the kingdom would be divided because of Solomon's disobedience and idolatry. This event also highlights the consequences of pride and disobedience, as Rehoboam's actions ultimately lead to the fragmentation of the kingdom and the loss of a significant portion of his territory.
As the northern kingdom of Israel breaks away from Judah, Rehoboam is left with only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin under his rule. However, he is determined to regain the lost territory and launches an attack on the northern kingdom. However, God sends Shemaiah, a prophet, to warn Rehoboam against going to war with his brothers in Israel. Shemaiah reminds Rehoboam that the division of the kingdom is God's will and that He has allowed it to happen because of Solomon's disobedience.
Realizing the error of his ways, Rehoboam heeds Shemaiah's warning and abandons his plans for war. He instead focuses on fortifying the cities of Judah and strengthening the defenses of his kingdom. This event highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance and protection, as well as the consequences of acting out of pride and arrogance.
The chapter ends with a summary of Rehoboam's reign, which lasted for 17 years, during which he continued to disobey God and lead the people of Judah astray. However, despite his shortcomings, God remains faithful to His promises and protects the kingdom of Judah from external threats. He also blesses Judah with prosperity and wealth, as He had promised to do for the descendants of David.
This event highlights the faithfulness of God and His willingness to fulfill His promises, even in the midst of human disobedience and shortcomings. It also serves as a reminder that the consequences of disobedience and pride may be severe, but God's love and mercy are always available to those who turn to Him in repentance.
2 Chronicles Chapter 11 offers valuable lessons and insights for Christians today. It serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of pride and disobedience, and the importance of seeking God's guidance and protection. The chapter also highlights the fulfillment of God's promises to His people, despite their shortcomings and failures.
One of the main themes of this chapter is the consequences of pride and disobedience. Rehoboam's actions and decisions are a manifestation of his pride and arrogance, which ultimately lead to the division of the kingdom of Israel and the loss of a significant portion of his territory. This event serves as a reminder that pride and disobedience can have severe consequences, not only for ourselves but also for those around us.
Another key lesson from this chapter is the importance of seeking God's guidance and protection. Rehoboam's initial rejection of the wise counsel of the elders and his decision to follow the advice of his inexperienced friends lead to disastrous consequences. However, when he heeds the warning of the prophet Shemaiah and turns to God for guidance and protection, he is able to avoid further calamity and even experience God's blessings and provision.
The division of the kingdom of Israel also serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the faithfulness of God. Despite the people's disobedience and the fragmentation of the kingdom, God remains faithful to His promises and protects His people. This event also serves as a reminder that God's love and mercy are always available to those who turn to Him in repentance, even in the midst of their failures and shortcomings.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles Chapter 11 offers valuable lessons and insights for Christians today. It serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of pride and disobedience, the importance of seeking God's guidance and protection, and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. It also reminds us of God's faithfulness and mercy, even in the midst of human failures and shortcomings. As Christians, we must strive to avoid the mistakes of Rehoboam and instead seek God's guidance and follow His will for our lives.
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