mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 11.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.xii" n="xii" next="iiCh.xiii" prev="iiCh.xi" progress="81.65%" title="Chapter XI">
<h2 id="iiCh.xii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.xii-p0.2">CHAP. XI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.xii-p1">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,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.1-2Chr.11.4" parsed="|2Chr|11|1|11|4" passage="2Ch 11:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. His
successful endeavours to preserve the two tribes that remained,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.5-2Chr.11.12" parsed="|2Chr|11|5|11|12" passage="2Ch 11:5-12">ver. 5-12</scripRef>. III. The
resort of the priests and Levites to him, <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.13-2Chr.11.17" parsed="|2Chr|11|13|11|17" passage="2Ch 11:13-17">ver. 13-17</scripRef>. IV. An account of his wives
and children, <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.18-2Chr.11.23" parsed="|2Chr|11|18|11|23" passage="2Ch 11:18-23">ver.
18-23</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11" parsed="|2Chr|11|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 11" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.1-2Chr.11.12" parsed="|2Chr|11|1|11|12" passage="2Ch 11:1-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.11.1-2Chr.11.12">
<h4 id="iiCh.xii-p1.7">Rehoboam Forbidden to Make
War. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xii-p1.8">b. c.</span> 975.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xii-p2">1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he
gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin a hundred and fourscore
thousand chosen <i>men,</i> which were warriors, to fight against
Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.   2
But the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xii-p2.1">Lord</span> came to
Shemaiah the man of God, saying,   3 Speak unto Rehoboam the
son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and
Benjamin, saying,   4 Thus saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xii-p2.2">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xii-p2.3">Lord</span>, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
  5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for
defence in Judah.   6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and
Tekoa,   7 And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,   8 And
Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,   9 And Adoraim, and Lachish,
and Azekah,   10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which
<i>are</i> in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.   11 And he
fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of
victual, and of oil and wine.   12 And in every several city
<i>he put</i> shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong,
having Judah and Benjamin on his side.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p3">How the ten tribes deserted the house of
David we read in the foregoing chapter. They had formerly sat loose
to that family (<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.1-2Sam.20.2" parsed="|2Sam|20|1|20|2" passage="2Sa 20:1,2">2 Sam. xx. 1,
2</scripRef>), and now they quite threw it off, not considering how
much it would weaken the common interest and take Israel down from
that pitch of glory at which it had arrived in the last reign. But
thus the <i>kingdom</i> must be corrected as well as the
<i>house</i> of David. 1. Rehoboam at length, like a bold man,
raises an army, with a design to reduce the revolters, <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.1" parsed="|2Chr|11|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Judah and Benjamin were
not only resolved to continue their allegiance to him, but ready to
give him the best assistance they could for the recovery of his
right. Judah was his own tribe, that owned him some years before
the rest did; Benjamin was the tribe in which Jerusalem, or the
greatest part of it, stood, which perhaps was one reason why that
tribe clave to him. 2. Yet, like a conscientious man, when God
forbade him to prosecute this design, in obedience to him he let it
fall, either because he reverenced the divine authority or because
he knew that he should not prosper if he should go contrary to
God's command, but instead of retrieving what was lost would be in
danger of losing what he had. It is dangerous undertaking any
thing, but especially undertaking a war, contrary to the will of
God. God calls him (<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.3" parsed="|2Chr|11|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), <i>Rehoboam the son of Solomon,</i> to intimate that
this was determined for the sin of Solomon, and it would be to no
purpose to oppose a decree that had gone forth. They <i>obeyed the
words of the Lord;</i> and though it looked mean, and would turn to
their reproach among their neighbours, yet, because God would have
it so, they laid down their arms. 3. Like a discreet man, he
fortified his own country. He saw it was to no purpose to think of
reducing those that had revolted. A few good words might have
prevented their defection, but now all the forces of his kingdom
cannot bring them back. The thing is done, and so it must rest; it
is his wisdom to make the best of it. Perhaps the same young
counsellors that had advised him to answer them roughly urged him
to fight them, notwithstanding the divine inhibition; but he had
paid dearly enough for being advised by them, and therefore now, we
may suppose, his aged and experienced counsellors were hearkened
to, and they advised him to submit to the will of God concerning
what was lost, and to make it his business to keep what he had. It
was probably by their advice that, (1.) He fortified his frontiers,
and many of the principal cities of his kingdom, which, in
Solomon's peaceable reign, no care had been taken for the defence
of. (2.) He furnished them with good stores of victuals and arms,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.11-2Chr.11.12" parsed="|2Chr|11|11|11|12" passage="2Ch 11:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11, 12</scripRef>.
Because God forbade him to fight, he did not therefore sit down
sullenly, and say that he would do nothing for the public safety if
he might not do that, but prudently provided against an attack.
Those that may not be conquerors, yet may be builders.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.13-2Chr.11.23" parsed="|2Chr|11|13|11|23" passage="2Ch 11:13-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.11.13-2Chr.11.23">
<h4 id="iiCh.xii-p3.6">The Priests Adhere to
Rehoboam. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xii-p3.7">b. c.</span> 974.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xii-p4">13 And the priests and the Levites that
<i>were</i> in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
  14 For the Levites left their suburbs 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xii-p4.1">Lord</span>:   15 And he ordained him priests for
the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he
had made.   16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel
such as set their hearts to seek the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xii-p4.2">Lord</span> God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to
sacrifice unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xii-p4.3">Lord</span> God of their
fathers.   17 So they strengthened 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.   18 And
Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of
David to wife, <i>and</i> Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of
Jesse;   19 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and
Zaham.   20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of
Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
  21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above
all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and
threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and
threescore daughters.)   22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son
of Maachah the chief, <i>to be</i> ruler among his brethren: for
<i>he thought</i> to make him king.   23 And he 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 many wives.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p5">See here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p6">I. How Rehoboam was strengthened by the
accession of the priests and Levites, and all the devout and pious
Israelites, to him, even all that were true to their God and their
religion.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p7">1. Jeroboam cast them off, that is, he set
up such a way of worship as he knew they could not in conscience
comply with, which obliged them to withdraw from his altar, and at
the same time he would not allow them to go up to Jerusalem to
worship at the altar there; so that he totally <i>cast them off
from executing the priest's office,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.14" parsed="|2Chr|11|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. And very willing he was that
they should turn themselves out of their places, that room might be
made for those mean and scandalous persons whom he <i>ordained
priests for the high places,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.15" parsed="|2Chr|11|15|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. Compare <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.12.31" parsed="|1Kgs|12|31|0|0" passage="1Ki 12:31">1 Kings xii. 31</scripRef>. No marvel if he that cast
off God cast off his ministers; they were not for his purpose,
would not do whatever he might bid them do, would not <i>serve his
gods, nor worship the golden image which he had set up.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p8">2. They thereupon <i>left their suburbs and
possessions,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.14" parsed="|2Chr|11|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. Out of the lot of each tribe the Levites had cities
allowed them, where they were comfortable provided for and had
opportunity of doing much good. But now they were driven out of all
their cities except those in Judah and Benjamin. One would think
their maintenance well settled, and yet they lost it. It was a
comfort to them that the law so often reminded them that the
<i>Lord was their inheritance,</i> and so they should find him when
they were turned out of their house and possessions. But why did
they leave their possessions? (1.) Because they saw they could do
no good among their neighbours, in whom (now that Jeroboam set up
his calves) the old proneness to idolatry revived. (2.) Because
they themselves would be in continual temptation to some base
compliances, and in danger of being drawn insensibly to that which
was evil. If we pray, in sincerity, not to be led into temptation,
we shall get and keep as far as we can out of the way of it. (3.)
Because, if they retained their integrity, they had reason to
expect persecution from Jeroboam and his sons. The priests they
made for the devils would not let the Lord's priests be long among
them. No secular advantages whatsoever should draw us thither, or
detain us there, where we are in danger of making shipwreck of
faith and a good conscience.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p9">3. They <i>came to Judah and Jerusalem</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.14" parsed="|2Chr|11|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>) and
<i>presented themselves to Rehoboam,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.13" parsed="|2Chr|11|13|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>, <i>margin.</i> Where should
God's priests and Levites be, but where his altar was? Thither they
came because it was their business to attend at the times
appointed. (1.) It was a mercy to them that they had a place of
refuge to flee to, and that when Jeroboam cast them off there were
those so near that would entertain them, and bid them welcome, and
they were not forced into the lands of the heathen. (2.) It was an
evidence that they loved their work better than their maintenance,
in that they <i>left their suburbs and possessions in the
country</i> (where they might have lived at ease upon their own),
because they were restrained from serving God there, and cast
themselves upon God's providence and the charity of their brethren
in coming to a place where they might have the free enjoyment of
God's ordinances, according to his institution. Poverty in the way
of duty is to be chosen rather than plenty in the way of sin.
Better live upon alms, or die in a prison, with a good conscience,
than roll in wealth and pleasure with a prostituted one. (3.) It
was the wisdom and praise of Rehoboam and his people that they bade
them welcome, though they crowded themselves perhaps to make room
for them. Conscientious refugees will bring a blessing along with
them to the countries that entertain them, as they leave a curse
behind them with those that expel them. <i>Open the gates, that the
righteous nation, which keepeth truth, may enter in;</i> it will be
good policy. See <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.1-Isa.26.2" parsed="|Isa|26|1|26|2" passage="Isa 26:1,2">Isa. xxvi. 1,
2</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p10">4. When the priests and Levites came to
Jerusalem all the devout pious Israelites of every tribe followed
them. Such as <i>set their hearts to seek the Lord God of
Israel,</i> that made conscience of their duty to God and were
sincere and resolute in it, left the inheritance of their fathers
and went and took houses in Jerusalem, that they might have free
access to the altar of God and be out of the temptation to worship
the calves, <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.16" parsed="|2Chr|11|16|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>.
Note, (1.) That is best for us which is best for our souls; and, in
all our choices, advantages for religion must take place of all
outward conveniences. (2.) Where God's faithful priests are his
faithful people should be. If Jeroboam cast off God's ministers,
every true-born Israelite will think himself obliged to own them
and stand by them. <i>Forsake not the Levite,</i> the out-cast
Levite, <i>as long as thou livest.</i> When <i>the ark removes do
you remove and go after it,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.3" parsed="|Josh|3|3|0|0" passage="Jos 3:3">Josh.
iii. 3</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p11">5. They <i>strengthened the kingdom of
Judah</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.17" parsed="|2Chr|11|17|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>),
not only by the addition of so many persons to it, who, it is
likely, brought what they could of their effects with them, but by
their piety and their prayers they procured a blessing upon the
kingdom which was a sanctuary to them. See <scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.12.5" parsed="|Zech|12|5|0|0" passage="Zec 12:5">Zech. xii. 5</scripRef>. It is the interest of a nation
to protect and encourage religion and religious people, and adds
more than any thing to its strength. They made him and his people
<i>strong three years;</i> for so long they <i>walked in the way of
David and Solomon,</i> their <i>good</i> way. But when they forsook
that, and so threw themselves out of God's favour and protection,
the best friends they had could no longer help to strengthen them.
We retain our strength while we cleave to God and our duty, and no
longer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xii-p12">II. How Rehoboam was weakened by indulging
himself in his pleasures. He <i>desired many wives,</i> as his
father did (<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.23" parsed="|2Chr|11|23|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>),
yet, 1. In <i>this</i> he was more wise than his father, that he
does not appear to have married strange wives. The wives mentioned
here were not only daughters of Israel, but of the family of David;
one was a descendant from Eliab, David's brother (<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.18" parsed="|2Chr|11|18|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), another from Absalom,
probably that Absalom who was David's son (<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.20" parsed="|2Chr|11|20|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>), another from Jerimoth,
David's son. 2. In <i>this</i> he was more happy than his father,
that he had many sons and daughters; whereas we read not of more
than one son that his father had. One can scarcely imagine that he
had no more; but, if he had, they were not worth mentioning;
whereas several of Rehoboam's sons are here named (<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.19-2Chr.11.20" parsed="|2Chr|11|19|11|20" passage="2Ch 11:19,20"><i>v.</i> 19, 20</scripRef>) as men of note,
and such active men that he thought it his wisdom to <i>disperse
them throughout the countries of Judah and Benjamin</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xii-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.11.23" parsed="|2Chr|11|23|0|0" passage="2Ch 11:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>), either, (1.) That
they might not be rivals with his son Abijah, whom he designed for
his successor, or rather, (2.) Because he could repose a confidence
in them for the preserving of the public peace and safety, could
trust them with fenced cities, which he took care to have well
victualled, that they might stand him in stead in case of an
invasion. After-wisdom is better than none at all; nay, they say,
"Wit is never good till it is bought;" though he was dearly bought
with the loss of a kingdom.</p>
</div></div2>