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Reading Plan · Day 122

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2 Chronicles 10-12

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Previously · Day 121 · 2 Chronicles 7-9

The previous day's reading covered Solomon's amassing wealth and fame immediately after the dedication of the temple and before he died.

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Where You Stopped

2 Chronicles 10

1And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.

1And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.

Commentary · verse 1

Rehoboam reigned over Israel after Solomon was dead. All of Israel went to Shechem to make it official. Shechem was a city in Manasseh. It was located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles north of Jerusalem and 7 miles southeast of Samaria.

2And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

2And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

Commentary · verse 2

1 Kings 11:26 stated the third adversary God raised against Solomon, because of his heart being turned from God because of his many wives, was Jeroboam. The Books of Chronicles did not document God's judgment against Solomon the individual.

3And they sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spake to Rehoboam, saying, 4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

3And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,

4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.

Commentary · verses 3-4

The people wanted to let Rehoboam know they would serve him if his "yoke" was lighter on them than Solomon's yoke.

5And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.

6And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?

5And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.

6And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?

Commentary · verses 5-6

Rehoboam asked advice of the old men regarding how to rule the people.

7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

8But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that stood before him.

7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

8But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

Commentary · verses 7-8

Rehoboam must not have agreed with the advice the old men gave him. He went to hear from the young men.

9And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter?

10And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins.

9And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

10And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.

Commentary · verses 9-10

The young men told Rehoboam to tell the people that his little finger was thicker than his father's "loins"…

11And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

11For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Commentary · verse 11

…and he will make his yoke heavier on them to prove it.

12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day.

13And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.

13And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,

14And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Commentary · verses 12-14

Rehoboam followed through with the advice he got from the young men. He was set on being a boss, not a leader. Leaders bear pain, bosses inflict pain.

15So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was brought about of God, that Jehovah might establish his word, which he spake by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

15So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Commentary · verse 15

God was going to use this injustice in order to bring about judgment on Israel.

16And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So all Israel departed unto their tents.

17But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

18Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to taskwork; and the children of Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

19So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

16And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.

17But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

18Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

19And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

Commentary · verses 16-19

The Books of Chronicles dealt with the ten tribes of Israel by stating they rebelled against Judah unto this day. Remember, there were no kings of the ten tribes of Israel that did right in God's sight.

Where You Stopped

2 Chronicles 11

1And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, that were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

1And 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.

Commentary · verse 1

Rehoboam gathered 180,000 men from Judah and Benjamin in his attempt to take back the kingdom.

2But the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4Thus saith Jehovah, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house; for this thing is of me. So they hearkened unto the words of Jehovah, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

2But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

3Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,

4Thus 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.

Commentary · verses 2-4

Rehoboam and his men obeyed God and did not fight against Israel.

Commentary · verses 5-12

Verses 5-12: Rehoboam focused on building a defense.

5And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.

6He built Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7And Beth-zur, and Soco, and Adullam, 8and Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, 9and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, 10and Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fortified cities.

11And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of victuals, and oil and wine.

12And in every city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.

5And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.

6He built even Beth–lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

7And Beth–zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,

8And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,

9And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

10And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.

11And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.

12And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

Commentary · verse 12

Not going to war against Israel did not stop Rehoboam from preparing for war.

13And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border.

14For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest’s office unto Jehovah; 15and he appointed him priests for the high places, and for the he-goats, and for the calves which he had made.

16And after them, out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice unto Jehovah, the God of their fathers.

13And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.

14For 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:

15And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

16And 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.

Commentary · verses 13-16

The Levites and priests came to Judah because Jeroboam sent them away. Israel was partaking in idolatry. Notice, verse 16 stated that the people whose hearts were set to seek God came out of Israel and joined Judah.

17So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.

17So 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.

Commentary · verse 17

With the help of the priests and Levites, Judah was strong under the reign of Rehoboam because they walked in the way of David and Solomon. Was the Ark still in Jerusalem?

Commentary · verses 18-23

Verses 18-23: Rehoboam's family.

18And Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse; 19and she bare him sons: Jeush, and Shemariah, and Zaham.

20And after her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

21And Rehoboam loved Maacah 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).

22And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, even the prince among his brethren; for he was minded to make him king.

18And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;

19Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.

20And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

21And 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.)

22And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.

Commentary · verse 22

Rehoboam made Abijah his chief because he wanted him to be king.

23And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fortified city: and he gave them victuals in abundance. And he sought for them many wives.

23And 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.

Where You Stopped

2 Chronicles 12

1And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Jehovah, and all Israel with him.

1And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

Commentary · verse 1

Once things were going well for Rehoboam, he turned from God, and Israel joined him.

2And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Jehovah, 3with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen. And the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians.

4And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem.

2And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,

3With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

4And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

Commentary · verses 2-4

As an effect of trespassing against God, the king of Egypt warred against Jerusalem. Did God put it in Shishak's heart to do this?

5Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, Ye have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

5Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

Commentary · verse 5

God may not have provoked Shishak, but God did not stop him. God left them in Shishak's hand.

6Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, Jehovah is righteous.

7And when Jehovah saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

8Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

6Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.

7And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

8Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

Commentary · verses 6-8

The leaders and king of Israel humbled themselves and stated that God was Righteous. God then gave them mercy. He granted them "some deliverance." However, God still permitted Israel serving Shishak in order to teach Israel obedience.

Commentary · verses 9-12

Verses 9-12: the "some deliverance" given to Judah.

9So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king’s house: he took all away: he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

9So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

Commentary · verse 9

Did Shishak take the Ark?

10And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, that kept the door of the king’s house.

11And it was so, that, as oft as the king entered into the house of Jehovah, the guard came and bare them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber.

12And when he humbled himself, the wrath of Jehovah turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether: and moreover in Judah there were good things found.

10Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king’s house.

11And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.

12And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well.

Commentary · verse 12

When Rehoboam humbled himself, God's wrath turned from him.

13So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Jehovah had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.

14And he did that which was evil, because he set not his heart to seek Jehovah.

13So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother’s name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

14And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

Commentary · verses 13-14

Rehoboam did evil because he did not set his heart to seek God. The word "set" was also translated as "prepared". It meant "to be firm, be stable, be established."

15Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

15Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

Commentary · verse 15

The histories of Shemaiah the prophet?? and of Iddo the seer?? There was a reference to Iddo in 2 Chronicles 9:29 and another in 2 Chronicles 13:22.

16And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

16And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary · verse 16

We know that Abijah also was an evil king of Judah.

This day's reading covered Rehoboam's reign.

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