_A.M. 3029. B.C. 975._ Rehoboam is forbidden to fight against Israel, 2 Chronicles 11:1. He secures the two tribes, 2 Chronicles 11:5. The priests and Levites resort to him, 2 Chronicles 11:13. His wives and children, 2 Chronicles 11:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon_ Intimating that this was determined for the sin of Solomon, and therefore could not be reversed. But for all explanation of this paragraph, see notes on 1 Kings 12:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rehoboam built cities for defence in Judah_ That is, repaired, enlarged, and fortified them: for these cities, or divers of them, were built before, as appears from Joshua 10:10; Joshua 12:15; Joshua 15:24; Joshua 15:33; Joshua 19:42.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The priests and Levites resorted to him out of all their coasts_ So the tribe of Levi was added to the tribe of Judah; though not the cities, in general, wherein they dwelt, which they were forced to leave when they would not conform to the idolatrous worship which Jeroboam had set up. The tribe of... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Jeroboam and his sons cast them off_ They would not suffer them to instruct the Israelites in the worship 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 commanded by Jeroboam to do; and therefo... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the high places, and for devils_ Or, _for the high places, both for devils_, (the Baals, or false gods, which divers of his people worshipped, whom he 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 pl... [ Continue Reading ]
_And after them such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel_ All the devout, pious Israelites, of every tribe, followed the priests and Levites: all who feared and loved God in sincerity and truth, and were determined to serve him. All such left the inheritances of their fathers, and wen... [ Continue Reading ]
_So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah_ Not only by the addition of so many persons to it, who probably brought what they could of their property with them, but by their piety and prayers they procured a blessing upon the kingdom which was a sanctuary to them, Zechariah 12:5. It is the interest... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rehoboam made Abijah ruler among his brethren_ He declared him his successor, and gave him the dominion over his brethren.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He dealt wisely, and dispersed his children_, &c. Either, 1st, Lest his other sons should, after his death, unite together against Abijah; or rather, 2d, Because he could repose confidence in them, for the preservation of the public peace and safety, and could trust them with the fenced cities, whi... [ Continue Reading ]