2 Chronicles 11:5

_AND REHOBOAM DWELT IN JERUSALEM, AND BUILT CITIES FOR DEFENCE IN JUDAH._ Built cities for defense in Judah, х_ WAYIBEN_ (H1129) _ `AARIYM_ (H5892) _ LªMAATSOWR_ (H4692)] - and fortified cities (see 2 Chronicles 11:6, where _ BAANAAH_ (H1129) is used alone in this sense). This verb is frequently used to denote the fortification of a city (cf. Joshua 6:5); and the reason, as Hengstenberg remarks, ('Christology,' 3:, p. 132), is 'partly because in the case existence the building must necessarily have been restricted to the fortification of it, and partly became the term city, in its fullest exten

1-12 A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are destitute of true faith, will at times pay some regard to the word of God, and be kept by it from wrong actions, to which they are prone by nature....

Verse 2 Chronicles 11:5. _AND BUILT CITIES FOR DEFENSE IN JUDAH._] He was obliged to strengthen his frontiers against the encroachments of the men of Israel; and Jeroboam did the same thing on his part to prevent the inroads of Judah. See 1 Kings 12:25....

Rehoboam was between two dangers: on the north he might be attacked by Jeroboam, on the south by Jeroboam’s ally, Egypt. From this side was the greater peril, and therefore out of the 15 cities fortified, all but three were on the southern or western frontier, where Egypt would be most likely to attack....

EXPOSITION The first four verses of this chapter would have been better placed as the conclusion of the previous chapter. They correspond with 1 Kings 12:21-11; and they tell how Rehoboam was restrained from making bad worse, in a hopeless attempt to recover the seceding ten tribes, by war that would have been as bloody as foredoomed to failure. "The word of the Lord" to this intent came to the Prophet Shemaiah, and through him to Rehoboam. The remaining verses of the chapter are new matter, and belong to Chronicles alone. They tell how Rehoboam set to work to fortify his towns, or rather many of them (1 Kings 12:5); how he received priests and others from the kingdom of the ten tribes ...

AND REHOBOAM DWELT IN JERUSALEM,.... The metropolis of Judah, and the capital city of his kingdom: AND BUILT CITIES FOR DEFENCE IN JUDAH; that is, rebuilt, enlarged, and fortified them; for otherwise they were built before, though neglected before the revolt of the ten tribes; but now it became necessary to make them more capacious and strong, to protect his people, and defend himself against Israel; for though he was forbid to act offensively, and therefore contented himself to abide in Jerusalem, and not go forth to war; yet he might lawfully put himself into a condition of defence....

Let us read, for our instruction, part of the story of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. 2 Chronicles 11:1. _And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. But the word of the LORD came to Sheniuiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam._ So far, so good. There was some degree of the fear of God in the minds of men when, at the bidding of a single prophet, a king would disband his

III. THE HISTORY OF THE KINGS OF JUDAH:EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE CAPTIVITY 1. Decline and Apostasy under Rehoboam, Abijah and Asa CHAPTER 11 Rehoboam's Reign _ 1. The forbidden war (2 Chronicles 11:1)_ 2. The national defence (2 Chronicles 11:5) 3. Jeroboam's wickedness and Rehoboam's strength (2 Chronicles 11:13) 4. Rehoboam's family (2 Chronicles 11:18) The provocation to go to war with the tribes which had revolted was great. Rehoboam was ready to start the civil war. He gathered 180,000 men of Judah and Benjamin to fight against Israe

SHEMAIAH RESTRAINS REHOBOAM FROM ATTACKING JEROBOAM (see notes on 1 Kings 12:21). The variations between the two records are unimportant. 2 CHRONICLES 11:5. REHOBOAM ESTABLISHES HIMSELF IN JERUSALEM. There is nothing corresponding to this section in 1 K. 2 Chronicles 11:5. Rehoboam's cities of defence. Although these are not enumerated in 1 K. there is no reason to doubt that the Chronicler got the list of them from an authentic source. 2 Chronicles 11:13. This account of how the priests and Levites joined Rehoboam was probably inserted by the Chronicler,

(5-12) These particulars are complementary. App-56. BUILT. rebuilt. FOR DEFENCE. Evidently these fifteen cities were for defence against Egypt, because of Jeroboam's influence there (2 Chronicles 10:2). His fears were well grounded (2 Chronicles 12:2; 2 Chronicles 12:4 and 1 Kings 14:25)....