2 Chronicles 11:15 Komentář

We are here going on with the history of Rehoboam. I. His attempt to recover the ten tribes he has lost, and the letting fall of that attempt in obedience to the divine command (Ch2 11:1-4). II. His successful endeavours to preserve the two tribes that remained (Ch2 11:5-12). III. The resort of the priests and Levites to him (Ch2 11:13-17). IV. An account of his wives and children (Ch2 11:18-23).

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 11 In this chapter are related the preparations Rehoboam made to regain the ten tribes that revolted from him, but was forbid making the attempt by a prophet of the Lord, which he paid a regard unto, Ch2 11:1, the fortification of several cities in Judah and Benjamin for his defence, Ch2 11:5, the resort of several priests and Levites to him from Jeroboam, which served to strengthen his kingdom, Ch2 11:13, and an account of his wives, and of his children, and of his disposal of them, Ch2 11:18.

So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah,.... Made it more numerous, and in a better condition to defend itself: and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong three years; established him on the throne, strengthened the government in his hands, and were the means of preserving him in the pure worship of God for the space of time mentioned, the reason of which follows: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon; in their good ways, which were according to the rule of the divine word; and which, as they refer to the whole of David's life and reign, some particular actions excepted, so to the former part of Solomon's reign, before he fell into idolatry, and to the latter part of it after his repentance; for that he did repent is by some concluded from hence, and may be more strongly from the book of Ecclesiastes, written by him in his old age. This is to be understood both of Rehoboam and his people, who after three years forsook the law of the Lord, Ch2 12:1.

Rehoboam raises an array, purposing to reduce the ten tribes; but is prevented by Shemaiah the prophet, Ch2 11:1-4. He builds several cities of defense, and fortifies others, Ch2 11:5-12. The priests and Levites being turned out by Jeroboam, come to Rehoboam, Ch2 11:13, Ch2 11:14. Jeroboam's gross idolatry, Ch2 11:15. The pious of the land join with Judah, and strengthen the kingdom of Rehoboam, Ch2 11:16, Ch2 11:17. His wives, concubines, and numerous issue, Ch2 11:18-21. He places his own sons for governors in the different provinces, Ch2 11:22, Ch2 11:23.

And he ordained him priests - for the devils - שעירים seirim, the hairy ones; probably goats: for as the golden calves, or oxen, were in imitation of the Egyptian ox-god, Apis; so they no doubt paid Divine honors to the goat, which we know was an object of religious veneration in Egypt.

REHOBOAM, RAISING AN ARMY TO SUBDUE ISRAEL, IS FORBIDDEN BY SHEMAIAH. (2Ch. 11:1-17) Rehoboam . . . gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin . . . to fight against Israel--(See Kg1 12:21-24).

he ordained him priests--The persons he appointed to the priesthood were low and worthless creatures (Kg1 12:31; Kg1 13:33); any were consecrated who brought a bullock and seven rams (Ch2 13:9; Exo 29:37). for the high places--Those favorite places of religious worship were encouraged throughout the country. for the devils--a term sometimes used for idols in general (Lev 17:7). But here it is applied distinctively to the goat deities, which were probably worshipped chiefly in the northern parts of his kingdom, where the heathen Canaanites still abounded. for the calves which he had made--figures of the ox gods Apis and Mnevis, with which Jeroboam's residence in Egypt had familiarized him. (See on Kg1 12:26).

Rehoboam's defection from the Lord, and his humiliation by the Egyptian king Shishak. - Ch2 12:1. The infinitive כּהכין, "at the time of the establishing," with an indefinite subject, may be expressed in English by the passive: when Rehoboam's royal power was established. The words refer back to Ch2 11:17. כּחזקתו, "when he had become strong" (חזקה is a nomen verbale: the becoming strong; cf. Ch2 26:16; Ch2 11:2), he forsook the Lord, and all Israel with him. The inhabitants of the kingdom of Judah are here called Israel, to hint at the contrast between the actual conduct of the people in their defection from the Lord, and the destiny of Israel, the people of God. The forsaking of the law of Jahve is in substance the fall into idolatry, as we find it stated more definitely in Kg1 14:22.