Bible Commentaries

2 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 11

Rehoboam raising an army to subdue Israel, is forbidden by Shemaiah, 1 Chronicles 11:1-4. He strengtheneth his kingdom with forts and provision, 2 Chronicles 11:5-12. The priests and Levites, and such as feared God, forsaken by Jeroboam, who turneth idolater, strengthen the kingdom of Judah, 2 Chronicles 11:13-17. The wives and children of Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 11:18-23.

Of this verse, and verses 2-4, See Poole "1 Kings 12:21".

Built cities, i.e. repaired, and enlarged, and fortified them; as building is oft used in Scripture, as hath been formerly proved; for these cities, or divers of them, were built before, as appears from Joshua 10:10 12:15 15:21,33,35,58 19:42.

In every several city, to wit, so fortified, as he said, 2 Chronicles 11:11

They would not suffer them to instruct and assist the Israelites in the worship and service 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 desired and commanded to do; and therefore they willingly forsook all their patrimonies and possessions for God’s sake.

Or,

for the high places, both for the devils (i.e. the Baals, or false gods, which divers of his people worshipped, whom he permitted and encouraged to do so, giving them liberty to do any thing 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 he pretended and would be thought to worship in and by the calves.

Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel; such as loved and feared God in truth, and with their whole heart.

This honourable mention of Solomon, as a pattern of piety, is a considerable evidence of his true repentance before his death; of which See Poole "1 Kings 11:43".

To be ruler among his brethren; he declared him his successor, and gave him the dominion over his brethren; wherein (if he was not the first-born, as it seems to be implied, because this is mentioned as an effect of his superlative love to his mother) he transgressed that law, Deuteronomy 21:15,16, unless God was pleased to dispense with it at this time.

Dispersed of all his children: lest his other sons should after his death unite their counsels and forces together against Abijah, he wisely dispersed them into several and distant places, and under pretence of honouring them with the government of them, he made them prisoners in a sort, appointing several persons to observe their motions, and prevent their combinations.

Unto every fenced city, agreeable to their quality, that their restraint might be more easy to them.

Desired many wives; either,

1. For his children; or rather,

2. For himself, by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 11:21.