2 Chronicles 12 - Introduction
XII. THE EGYPTIAN CONQUEST. (_a_) SHISHAK’S INVASION OF JUDAH, AND THE PREACHING OF SHEMAIAH (2 Chronicles 12:1). The parallel in Kings is much briefer. (See 1 Kings 14:25.)... [ Continue Reading ]
XII. THE EGYPTIAN CONQUEST. (_a_) SHISHAK’S INVASION OF JUDAH, AND THE PREACHING OF SHEMAIAH (2 Chronicles 12:1). The parallel in Kings is much briefer. (See 1 Kings 14:25.)... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN REHOBOAM HAD ESTABLISHED THE KINGDOM. — Rather, _when Rehoboam’s kingdom had been established._ The construction is impersonal: _when one had established Rehoboam’s kingdom._ The narrative is resumed from 2 Chronicles 11:17. AND HAD STRENGTHENED HIMSELF. — _And when he had become strong_ (_hez... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS. — See 1 Kings 14:25, with which this verse literally coincides, except that the last clause, “because they had transgressed,” is added by the chronicler. IN THE FIFTH YEAR OF KING REHOBOAM. — The order of events is thus given: For three years Rehoboam and his people continued f... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH TWELVE HUNDRED CHARIOTS. — The short account in Kings says nothing of the numbers or constituents of the invading host. The totals here assigned are probably round numbers founded on a rough estimate. The cavalry are exactly fifty times as many as the chariots. Thenius finds the numbers “not in... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TOOK THE FENCED CITIES. — Those very cities which Rehoboam had fortified as bulwarks against Egypt (2 Chronicles 11:5). Fourteen names of cities have disappeared from the Karnak inscription, but Socho, Adoraim, and Ajalon, are still read there. CAME TO (so far as to) JERUSALEM. — Comp. Isaiah 36... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN. — _And._ SHEMAIAH THE PROPHET. — The section relating to his mission and its results (2 Chronicles 12:5) is peculiar to the chronicle. THE PRINCES OF JUDAH, THAT WERE GATHERED TOGETHER TO JERUSALEM. — Repulsed by the Egyptian arms, they had fallen back upon Jerusalem, to defend the capital.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREUPON. — _And._ THE PRINCES OF ISRAEL. — See Note on 2 Chronicles 12:1. “princes of _Judah_ “. (2 Chronicles 12:5) is the meaning. HUMBLED THEMSELVES. — Literally, _bowed_ (2 Chronicles 7:14). (Comp. Jonah 3:5.) THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS. — Comp. Exodus 9:27 (the exclamation of Pharaoh); and Ezra... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WILL GRANT THEM SOME DELIVERANCE. — Rather, _and I will give them a few for a remnant._ (Comp. 2 Chronicles 12:12, “that he would not destroy him altogether.”) For the phrase “to give a remnant,” see Ezra 9:13. The word rendered “few” is _kim‘at._ (Comp. 1 Chronicles 16:19 : Isaiah 1:9.) The p... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS THEY SHALL BE_._ — For they shall become servants (_i.e.,_ tributaries) _to him;_ scil., for a while. THAT THEY MAY KNOW (or, _discern_) MY SERVICE, AND THE SERVICE OF THE KINGDOMS. — That they may learn by experience the difference between the easy yoke of their God, and the heavy bur... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHISHAK KING OF EGYPT CAME UP AGAINST JERUSALEM. — The narrative is resumed after the parenthesis relating to Shemaiah by repeating the statement of 2 Chronicles 12:2. AND TOOK AWAY THE TREASURES OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. — See 1 Kings 14:26, with which the rest of this verse is identical.... [ Continue Reading ]
INSTEAD OF WHICH KING REHOBOAM MADE. — See Note on 1 Kings 14:27, with which this verse coincides. CHIEF OF THE GUARD. — Literally, _captains of the runners,_ or _couriers. _... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN. — _And as often as._ THE GUARD CAME AND FETCHED ... — _The runners came and bare them; and they_ (after the royal procession) _restored them to the guard room of the runners._ (See on 1 Kings 14:28, which reads, “the runners used to bear them.”) Solomon’s golden shields had been kept in... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, THE WRATH OF THE LORD TURNED FROM HIM. — In fulfilment of the promise of 2 Chronicles 12:7. This remark, the tone of which is in perfect accord with the chronicler’s conception of the real import of Shishak’s invasion, is wanting in Kings. THAT HE WOULD NOT DESTROY HIM.... [ Continue Reading ]
(_b_) SUMMING UP OF THE REIGN (2 Chronicles 12:13). (Comp. 1 Kings 14:21; 1 Kings 14:29; 1 Kings 14:31.) The Syriac and Arabic contain this section. (13) SO KING REHOBOAM STRENGTHENED HIMSELF. — After the withdrawal of Shishak. In other words, he regained strength after the crushing blow inflicted... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE DID EVIL. — Syriac adds _“_before the Lord.” The nature of his evil-doing is explained immediately: “for he directed not his heart to seek Jehovah.” This estimate of Rehoboam’s conduct seems to refer to the early years of his reign, which ended in the catastrophe of Shishak’s invasion. 1 King... [ Continue Reading ]
AND REHOBOAM SLEPT WITH HIS FATHERS. — Abridged from 1 Kings 14:31, which see. ABIJAH. — 2 Chronicles 11:22. _Abijam,_ the spelling of Kings, is probably due to an accident of transcription.... [ Continue Reading ]