📖 2 Chronicles — Chapter 11 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Chronicles 11:1 And Rwhen 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.
2 Chronicles 11:2 But the word of the LORD came Rto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
2 Chronicles 11:3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and Rto all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
2 Chronicles 11:4 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: Rreturn 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.
2 Chronicles 11:5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and Rbuilt cities for defence in Judah.
2 Chronicles 11:6 He built even Bethlehem, and REtam, and Tekoa,
2 Chronicles 11:7 And Bethzur, and RShoco, and Adullam,
2 Chronicles 11:8 And RGath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
2 Chronicles 11:9 And Adoraim, and RLachish, and Azekah,
2 Chronicles 11:10 And RZorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
2 Chronicles 11:11 And Rhe fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
2 Chronicles 11:12 And in every several city Rhe put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
2 Chronicles 11:13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel Tresorted to him out of all their coasts.
2 Chronicles 11:14 For the Levites left their Rsuburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the LORD:
2 Chronicles 11:15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and Rfor the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
2 Chronicles 11:16 RAnd after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 11:17 So they Rstrengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
2 Chronicles 11:18 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of REliab the son of Jesse;
2 Chronicles 11:19 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
2 Chronicles 11:20 And after her he took RTMaachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
2 Chronicles 11:21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took Reighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
2 Chronicles 11:22 And Rehoboam Rmade Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
2 Chronicles 11:23 And Rhe dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired Tmany wives.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 11:1–4 — A war prevented
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Rehoboam gathers an army to recover the kingdom, but God speaks through Shemaiah and forbids fighting their brethren. The people obey and return home. The passage records a moment when restraint follows God's word. Not every possible assertion of power is the right response to loss.
Key Truth: Obedience may require restraint instead of retaliation.
Check What You Remember
1. Which two tribes supplied Rehoboam's army? (2 Chronicles 11:1)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:1 (KJV).
2. Who brought God's word? (2 Chronicles 11:2)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:2 (KJV).
3. Were they permitted to fight their brethren? (2 Chronicles 11:4)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:4 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 11:5–17 — Defenses and faithful worshippers
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Rehoboam fortifies cities, while priests and Levites leave the northern kingdom after being excluded from service. People who set their hearts to seek the LORD also come to Jerusalem. Their devotion strengthens Judah during these years. Material defenses matter in the narrative, but faithful worship is another source of the community's strength.
Key Truth: Set your heart to seek the LORD.
Check What You Remember
1. Where did Rehoboam dwell? (2 Chronicles 11:5)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:5 (KJV).
2. Who had excluded the Levites from priestly service? (2 Chronicles 11:14)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:14 (KJV).
3. How long did this faithfulness strengthen Rehoboam? (2 Chronicles 11:17)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:17 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 11:18–23 — The royal household
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The chapter describes Rehoboam's wives, children, preference for Maachah, and selection of Abijah for succession. He distributes his sons among fortified cities and supplies them. These arrangements explain the royal family's place in the kingdom. The narrative's description of a large household does not make every royal practice a command to imitate.
Key Truth: Distinguish recorded arrangements from commands for your own life.
Check What You Remember
1. Who was Maachah's father as named here? (2 Chronicles 11:20)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:20 (KJV).
2. Which son did Rehoboam plan to make king? (2 Chronicles 11:22)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:22 (KJV).
3. How many sons did Rehoboam have? (2 Chronicles 11:21)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 11:21 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 105:4 — The psalm calls for seeking the LORD and his strength continually.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
When could obedience call you to restraint, even when you have power to act?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why does the assembled army return rather than fight?
2. How does Rehoboam make the fortified cities ready?
3. What connects the Levites’ departure with Jeroboam’s worship arrangements?
4. How do people from other tribes support Judah’s early strength?
5. How does family preference shape Rehoboam’s succession plan?
Notes
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