Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:1-12

Israel was very much disgraced and weakened by being divided into two kingdoms; yet the kingdom of Judah, having both the temple and the royal city, both the house of David and the house of Aaron, might have done very well if they had continued in the way of their duty; but here we have all out of order there. I. Rehoboam and his people left God: He forsook the law of the Lord, and so in effect forsook God, and all Israel with him, 2 Chron. 12:1. He had his happy triennium, when he walked in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:2

And it came to pass in the fifth year of Rehoboam ,.... In the fourth year, the apostasy of him and his people began; and, in the year following, what is next related happened, as a punishment of it: Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem ; of whom see 1 Kings 11:40 , because they transgressed against the Lord ; transgressed the law of the Lord by falling into idolatry and other abominable evils; the Targum is,"against the Word of the Lord.' read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:3

With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen; and the people were without number ,.... The foot soldiers; their number, according to Josephus F8 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 10. sect. 2. was 400,000: that came with him out of Egypt ; the above numerous army came from thence with him, which was famous for horses and chariots of war, see Exodus 14:7 , what follow seem to have joined him after he came out of Egypt, or whom he subdued in his way; the Lubim or Lybians,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:4

And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah ,.... Which Rehoboam had lately built, and placed his sons in them, 2 Chronicles 11:5 , these he took without any opposition: and came to Jerusalem ; there being no army to oppose him; and so Sesostris took many countries without fighting, and among the rest Phoenicia, as Manetho F15 Apud Joseph. contr. Apion. l. 1. c. 15. relates, in which Judea may be included. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:5

Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam ,.... The same as in 2 Chronicles 11:2 , there called the man of God: and to the princes of Judah that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak ; through fear of him, and for safety and protection from him, and to consult what was to be done at this critical juncture, whether to fight him, or make peace with him on the best terms they could: and said unto them, thus saith the Lord, ye have forsaken me ; his law, his word,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 12:2

Shishak king of Egypt - Concerning this man, and the motive which led him to attack the Jews, see the note on 1 Kings 14:31 . Transgressed against the Lord - "Against the Word of the Lord." - Targum. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 12:3

The Lubims - Supposed to be a people of Libya, adjoining to Egypt; sometimes called Phut in Scripture, as the people are called Lehabim and Ludim. The Sukkiims - The Troglodytes, a people of Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea. They were called Troglodytes, Τρωγλοδυται, οἱ τας τρωγλας οικουντες , "because they dwelt in caves." - Hesych. This agrees with what Pliny says of them, Troglodytae specus excavant, haec illis domus ; "The Troglodytes dig themselves caves; and these serve... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:1-2

The apostasy of Rehoboam. I. EARLY IN ITS COMMENCEMENT . After the three years already mentioned ( 2 Chronicles 11:17 ). Rehoboam's piety was short-lived, like the morning cloud and early dew ( Hosea 6:4 ), and like the seed upon stony ground ( Matthew 13:5 ). Want of stability and permanence is a chief defect in man's goodness. Many begin well who neither continue long nor end aright. II. PRESUMPTUOUS IN ITS SPIRIT . Rehoboam's declension began after he had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:1-16

A model instance of Divine goodness and opportunity prolonged to one who annulled all, and vitiated every highest privilege vouchsafed to him, by the one fact of his own infidelity of heart. We are strikingly taught, and we vividly recall from the contents of this chapter, the following lessons and facts. I. HOW VERY PRONE FORGETFULNESS OF OUR PAST SINS IS TO FOLLOW WITH SWIFT RAPIDITY ON PRESENT RESPITE FROM FEAR , RELIEF FROM SUFFERING , ... read more

Group of Brands