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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 12:5

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:6

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves ,.... Both by words acknowledging their sins, and the justice of God, and by deeds, perhaps putting on sackcloth, as was usual on such occasions, and betaking themselves to fasting and prayer: and they said, the Lord is righteous ; in giving them up into the hand of their enemies, seeing they had forsaken him, and sinned against him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 12:6

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves - This is not mentioned in the parallel place, 1 Kings 14:25-29 ; : this was the sole reason why Jerusalem was not at this time totally destroyed, and the house of David entirely cut off; for they were totally incapable of defending themselves against this innumerable host. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:2-12

Penalty, penitence, and forgiveness. It was not many months before Rehoboam found out the heinousness of his offence, the magnitude of his mistake; for in the path of sin comes penalty, and behind penalty steals shame. Happily for him there was mercy behind that. We look at this succession— I. AS EXPERIENCED BY THE KING OF JUDAH . First of all, following fast on his transgression, came: 1 . Divine displeasure and humiliating defeat. There came in to his palace-gates... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:5

Shemaiah (see Exposition, 2 Chronicles 11:2 ). The princes . These seem to have been a fruit of some original organization with Solomon, as they are not found with David ( 1 Kings 4:2-6 ). Ye have forsaken me … therefore have I also left you . The same Hebrew verb is employed in both members of this sentence, and the rendering should follow in like manner (see 2 Chronicles 7:19-22 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:5-8

Two messages from Jehovah. I. A MESSAGE OF WARNING . ( 2 Chronicles 12:5 , 2 Chronicles 12:6 .) 1 . By whom sent. Shemaiah the prophet, or man of God ( 2 Chronicles 11:2 ). When Jehovah has a message for any age, people, or individual, he can always find a messenger to bear it—a Moses to go to Pharaoh, a Samuel to speak to Saul, a Nathan to send to David, an Elijah or a Micaiah to warn Ahab, a John the Baptist to preach to Israel and testify against Herod. The hour... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:6

Note, as very apt parallel passages, Jeremiah 13:15 , Jeremiah 13:18 ; Exodus 9:27 . read more

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