Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

This chapter is the continuation of the history of Rehoboam. He raiseth an army to subdue Israel. Is forbidden to go to war by Shemaiah. An account of his wives and children.

2 Chronicles 11:1

From small beginnings what large things follow! Rehoboam's preferring the counsel of young men to the old, laid the foundation of the revolt of the ten tribes of Israel from the house of David.

We cannot but admire the conduct of Rehoboam in this obedience to the command of the Lord. Had he consulted the Lord at first, how much better would it have been.

Those fenced cities were intended, no doubt, to act upon the defensive, after that he had received command from the Lord.

The encouragement given to the priests and Levites should seem to imply that Rehoboam regarded the service of the sanctuary.

We have here introduced, in a parenthesis, a short but awful sketch of the infamous character of Jeroboam, which is spoken of in scripture in such dreadful terms of reproach.

There is very little more to be gathered from the character of this prince than that he wisely preferred peace to war. Indeed the shelter he gave to the priests and Levites is much to his honour. No doubt his kingdom was preserved in peace and good order from the blessing of the Lord in answer to the prayers of his people. This was the real strength given to the kingdom of Judah.

REFLECTIONS

WHAT a poor trifling character is this Rehoboam? Is this the son of Solomon? Alas! what a poor resemblance of wisdom to the Father. Reader! do remark that grace is not hereditary. As the father cannot bear the sins of the son, neither the son the sins of the father; so grace hath no connection in natural alliances.

Is not this Rehoboam a true picture of all carnal, slothful men! as he preferred the sluggish situation of the fleshly pursuits to those of promoting the glory of God, so we find all men under the reigning power of indwelling sin, desire only to make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof. Oh! what multitudes are there of Rehoboams in the land, who know nothing, think of nothing, enjoy nothing but fleshly lusts; whose god is their belly, who mind earthly things. Precious Jesus! keep thy people from such things. Oh! give to them to have their conversation more and more in heaven, and from thence to be always looking for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to his mighty power whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.