II Chronicles 11: Fortification, Faithfulness, and Frailty
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.
But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
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.
And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
He built even Beth–lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
And Beth–zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
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:
And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
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.
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.
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;
Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
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.)
And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
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.
II Chronicles 11 recounts the immediate aftermath of the kingdom's division, revealing a complex interplay of divine intervention, human choices, and the enduring consequences of disobedience. It’s a chapter filled with both strategic maneuvering and spiritual significance, highlighting the importance of obedience, true worship, and the fleeting nature of earthly success. This chapter offers valuable lessons about leadership, loyalty, and the enduring power of faith.
Divine Intervention Prevents Civil War (II Chronicles 11:1-4)
The chapter opens with Rehoboam, now king of Judah, ready to forcefully reunite the kingdom. Fueled by anger and a desire to reclaim lost territory, he gathers a formidable army of 180,000 choice men from Judah and Benjamin (II Chronicles 11:1). A bloody civil war seemed inevitable, poised to pit brother against brother. However, God intervenes dramatically. He sends the prophet Shemaiah to deliver a powerful message directly to Rehoboam and his army: "You shall not go up or fight against your brothers. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me" (II Chronicles 11:4).
This divine intervention is a pivotal moment. Rehoboam, to his credit, obeys the Lord's command. He dismisses his troops, preventing a potentially devastating conflict. This act of obedience, though perhaps born of pragmatism as well as piety, demonstrates a willingness to submit to God's will, even when it contradicted his own desires. It underscores the importance of listening to prophetic voices and discerning God's hand in the midst of conflict.
Fortifying the Kingdom (II Chronicles 11:5-12)
With the immediate threat of civil war averted, Rehoboam wisely turns his attention to securing his diminished kingdom. He embarks on a strategic campaign of fortification, building and strengthening cities throughout Judah and Benjamin (II Chronicles 11:5-12). He understands the need to protect his territory from external threats, particularly from the newly formed kingdom of Israel to the north.
These fortified cities served as defensive strongholds, providing refuge for the people and hindering enemy advances. Rehoboam equipped these cities with provisions, shields, and spears, demonstrating a practical approach to leadership and a commitment to the safety and security of his people. This section highlights the importance of responsible governance and the need to prepare for potential challenges.
The Faithful Migrate to Judah (II Chronicles 11:13-17)
As Rehoboam focused on physical defenses, God was also at work strengthening Judah spiritually. The priests and Levites, who were dedicated to the proper worship of God, abandoned their homes in the northern kingdom and migrated to Jerusalem (II Chronicles 11:13-14). This was because Jeroboam, in his attempt to consolidate power and prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem to worship, had appointed his own priests and established idolatrous practices (II Chronicles 11:15).
The priests and Levites recognized the spiritual danger and chose faithfulness over comfort and security. Their presence in Judah provided a vital foundation of true worship and spiritual leadership. Furthermore, many individuals from all the tribes of Israel, "who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel," followed the example of the priests and Levites and also moved to Judah (II Chronicles 11:16).
This influx of faithful believers significantly strengthened Judah, not only numerically but also spiritually. They brought with them a commitment to God's law and a desire to worship Him in truth. The chronicler notes that they "strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong for three years, because for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon" (II Chronicles 11:17). This period of strength and stability was directly linked to their obedience to God and their commitment to true worship.
A Fleeting Period of Faithfulness (II Chronicles 11:18-23)
The final verses of II Chronicles 11 offer a glimpse into Rehoboam's personal life and his efforts to secure his dynasty. Like his father Solomon, Rehoboam had many wives and children (II Chronicles 11:18-21). He demonstrated some wisdom in appointing his son Abijah as the chief leader among his brothers, intending him to be his successor (II Chronicles 11:22). He also dealt wisely, scattering some of his sons throughout the territories of Judah and Benjamin, and providing them liberally (II Chronicles 11:23).
However, the chronicler's observation that Judah "walked in the way of David and Solomon" for only three years serves as a sobering reminder of the fleeting nature of human faithfulness. While Rehoboam initially showed promise, his reign, as we will see in the following chapter, would eventually be marked by disobedience and apostasy. This serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that consistent and unwavering obedience is essential for sustained blessing. True faith requires lifelong commitment.
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.
But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
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.
And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
He built even Beth–lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
And Beth–zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
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:
And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
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.
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.
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;
Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
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.)
And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
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.
II Chronicles 11 recounts the immediate aftermath of the kingdom's division, revealing a complex interplay of divine intervention, human choices, and the enduring consequences of disobedience. It’s a chapter filled with both strategic maneuvering and spiritual significance, highlighting the importance of obedience, true worship, and the fleeting nature of earthly success. This chapter offers valuable lessons about leadership, loyalty, and the enduring power of faith.
Divine Intervention Prevents Civil War (II Chronicles 11:1-4)
The chapter opens with Rehoboam, now king of Judah, ready to forcefully reunite the kingdom. Fueled by anger and a desire to reclaim lost territory, he gathers a formidable army of 180,000 choice men from Judah and Benjamin (II Chronicles 11:1). A bloody civil war seemed inevitable, poised to pit brother against brother. However, God intervenes dramatically. He sends the prophet Shemaiah to deliver a powerful message directly to Rehoboam and his army: "You shall not go up or fight against your brothers. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me" (II Chronicles 11:4).
This divine intervention is a pivotal moment. Rehoboam, to his credit, obeys the Lord's command. He dismisses his troops, preventing a potentially devastating conflict. This act of obedience, though perhaps born of pragmatism as well as piety, demonstrates a willingness to submit to God's will, even when it contradicted his own desires. It underscores the importance of listening to prophetic voices and discerning God's hand in the midst of conflict.
Fortifying the Kingdom (II Chronicles 11:5-12)
With the immediate threat of civil war averted, Rehoboam wisely turns his attention to securing his diminished kingdom. He embarks on a strategic campaign of fortification, building and strengthening cities throughout Judah and Benjamin (II Chronicles 11:5-12). He understands the need to protect his territory from external threats, particularly from the newly formed kingdom of Israel to the north.
These fortified cities served as defensive strongholds, providing refuge for the people and hindering enemy advances. Rehoboam equipped these cities with provisions, shields, and spears, demonstrating a practical approach to leadership and a commitment to the safety and security of his people. This section highlights the importance of responsible governance and the need to prepare for potential challenges.
The Faithful Migrate to Judah (II Chronicles 11:13-17)
As Rehoboam focused on physical defenses, God was also at work strengthening Judah spiritually. The priests and Levites, who were dedicated to the proper worship of God, abandoned their homes in the northern kingdom and migrated to Jerusalem (II Chronicles 11:13-14). This was because Jeroboam, in his attempt to consolidate power and prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem to worship, had appointed his own priests and established idolatrous practices (II Chronicles 11:15).
The priests and Levites recognized the spiritual danger and chose faithfulness over comfort and security. Their presence in Judah provided a vital foundation of true worship and spiritual leadership. Furthermore, many individuals from all the tribes of Israel, "who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel," followed the example of the priests and Levites and also moved to Judah (II Chronicles 11:16).
This influx of faithful believers significantly strengthened Judah, not only numerically but also spiritually. They brought with them a commitment to God's law and a desire to worship Him in truth. The chronicler notes that they "strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong for three years, because for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon" (II Chronicles 11:17). This period of strength and stability was directly linked to their obedience to God and their commitment to true worship.
A Fleeting Period of Faithfulness (II Chronicles 11:18-23)
The final verses of II Chronicles 11 offer a glimpse into Rehoboam's personal life and his efforts to secure his dynasty. Like his father Solomon, Rehoboam had many wives and children (II Chronicles 11:18-21). He demonstrated some wisdom in appointing his son Abijah as the chief leader among his brothers, intending him to be his successor (II Chronicles 11:22). He also dealt wisely, scattering some of his sons throughout the territories of Judah and Benjamin, and providing them liberally (II Chronicles 11:23).
However, the chronicler's observation that Judah "walked in the way of David and Solomon" for only three years serves as a sobering reminder of the fleeting nature of human faithfulness. While Rehoboam initially showed promise, his reign, as we will see in the following chapter, would eventually be marked by disobedience and apostasy. This serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that consistent and unwavering obedience is essential for sustained blessing. True faith requires lifelong commitment.