And the priests and the Levites, that were in all Israel ,.... In the ten tribes, in the cities assigned to them therein: resorted to him out of all their coasts ; as to their rightful sovereign, and chiefly for the sake of the service of the sanctuary at Jerusalem. read more
The discipline that resulted in obedience, accompanied with right and earnest endeavour. The homiletic treatment of this chapter centres round two suggestions. I. THE SIMPLE AND PROMPT OBEDIENCE OF REHOBOAM , IN CERTAIN RESPECTS , TO THE DIVINE MESSAGE OF PROHIBITION . Of which obedience on the part of Rehoboam we may notice: 1 . That it compared favourably with the conduct of those who, being bidden and encouraged in every way to go up to war, and... read more
The strengthening of a kingdom. I. THE ERECTION OF FORTRESSES . ( 2 Chronicles 11:5-12 .) 1 . Their object. To defend the frontiers of the kingdom, against both Israel on the north and Egypt on the south, for which last special need existed, considering the friendly relations which had subsisted between Jeroboam and Shishak. Shishak's invasion, which soon followed, showed Rehoboam's apprehensions not to have been baseless. Though wars are seldom justifiable, it is never... read more
The priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts . The emphasis thrown into the contents of this verse is evident and agreeable; the ecclesiastical party acted worthily of itself. The priests and Levites could not bring themselves to offer sacrifice and service to the calves, or to forsake Jerusalem and the temple and the true altar. No doubt a stirring, throbbing history underlay the few hut suggestive words which point here the conduct of the... read more
Fidelity to conscience. This migration of priests and people from the other tribes of Israel to Judah and Jerusalem was a serious event in the history of the people of God, and it presents a striking and suggestive spectacle to all time. It is an early illustration of fidelity to conscience. I. THE SEVERITY OF THE STRUGGLE . These servants of Jehovah, priests and people, had to triumph over great obstacles in order to take the step on which they decided. They had: 1 . To... read more
2 Chronicles 11:13. The priests and Levites resorted to him out of all their coasts So the tribe of Levi was added to the tribe of Judah; though not the cities, in general, wherein they dwelt, which they were forced to leave when they would not conform to the idolatrous worship which Jeroboam had set up. The tribe of Simeon, likewise, was so intermixed with Judah, that, in all probability, many cities thereof, if not all, became one body with it, which made Judah a very powerful kingdom. read more
10:1-36:23 THE KINGS OF JUDAHDivision and its consequences (10:1-13:22)The Chronicler records the division of the kingdom (10:1-11:4; see notes on 1 Kings 12:1-24), but omits the statement in 1 Kings 12:20 that Jeroboam was made king of the northern tribes. He does not even mention Jeroboam’s reign (1 Kings 12:25-14:20). He considers that because the northerners broke away from the dynasty of David and from the true worship of God, they had no right to be called a kingdom, and certainly not the... read more
all Israel resorted to him. Thus the mingling of Israel with Judah was continued. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 . coasts = borders. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 11:13-23
See here, 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. 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 cast them off from... read more