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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 14:21-31

Judah's story and Israel's are intermixed in this book. Jeroboam out-lived Rehoboam, four or five years, yet his history is despatched first, that the account of Rehoboam's reign may be laid together; and a sad account it is. I. Here is no good said of the king. All the account we have of him here is, 1. That he was forty-one years old when he began to reign, by which reckoning he was born in the last year of David, and had his education, and the forming of his mind, in the best days of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 14:30

And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days. For though Rehoboam did not enter into an offensive war, and attack the children of Israel, being dissuaded from it by Shemaiah the prophet in the name of the Lord, yet he might maintain a defensive war; and though there were no pitched battles between them as afterwards, in his son's time, yet there might be skirmishes and bickerings on the borders of their countries. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:21-31

Unfaithfulness and its rebuke. I. JUDAH 'S SIN . 1 . The nature of the transgression . The grossest idolatry was set side by side with the pure worship of God. The temple and its services were still HIS ( 1 Kings 14:28 ), but on every high hill and under every green tree were the images and altars of the false gods. The preservation of the pure worship of God is no proof that all is yielded which God demands. The heart may be full of the world's idolatries, of its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:25-31

The Entailments of Sin. During the three first years of his reign in Judah, Rehoboam walked in the steps of Solomon and David, enjoyed peace, and became established in his throne. Afterwards he gave himself up to idolatrous abominations, and brought evil upon himself and upon his people. The entailments of their sin were— I. TROUBLE . 1 . There was continual war between the kingdoms . (3) Thus sinners become God's instruments to punish one another. So it is seen to this day... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:30

And there was war [cf. 2 Chronicles 12:15 , "wars." Keil argues from the prohibition of war by Shemaiah ( 1 Kings 12:23 ) that this must mean "hostility, enmity." But מִלְחָמָה surely implies more than angry feelings or a hostile attitude; and it is highly probable that, even if there were no organized campaigns, a desultory warfare was constantly carried on on the borders of the two kingdoms. It is also possible that Jeroboam took a part in the war of Shishak] between Rehoboam and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 14:29-30

1 Kings 14:29-30. Are they not written, &c. A register was kept of the acts of the kings of Judah, as well as of those of the kings of Israel. And there was war, &c. But how does this agree with 1 Kings 12:23, &c., where God forbids Rehoboam and his people to go up and fight against their brethren? We must observe, that though the Jews were forbidden to make war upon the Israelites, they were not forbidden to defend themselves, in case the Israelites should make war on them.... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 14:21-31

Rehoboam’s reign in the south (14:21-31)The story returns to the kingdom of Judah. After the division of the kingdom, Rehoboam quickly strengthened the defences on his southern border, for he knew that Egypt was likely to support Jeroboam (cf. 11:40; see 2 Chronicles 11:5-12). For three years Rehoboam carried on the true worship of Yahweh. This was mainly because of the help he received from a large number of priests and Levites from the north who fled to Judah rather than participate in the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 14:30

Rehoboam. Being named first he was probably the aggressor, contrary to 1 Kings 12:24 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 14:30

1 Kings 14:30. There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days— But how does this agree with chap. 1 Kings 12:23, &c. where God commands Rehoboam and his people not to fight against the Israelites? We must observe, that though the Jews were commanded not to make war upon the Israelites, yet they were not commanded not to defend themselves in case the Israelites should make war upon them: and considering that they were now become two rival nations, they might upon the borders be... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 14:30

30. there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam—The former was prohibited from entering on an aggressive war; but as the two kingdoms kept up a jealous rivalry, he might be forced into vigilant measures of defense, and frequent skirmishes would take place on the borders. read more

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