2 Chronicles 11:23

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 11:23

And he dealt wisely ,.... Acted a prudent part, in order to execute his scheme, and particularly by disposing of his other sons in different parts of his kingdom, as follows: or "he made him his son Abijah to understand" F5 ותבן "erudire faciebat", Pagninus, Grotius; "docuit", Vatablus. ; he taught and instructed him in the art of government, took a particular care of his education, that he might be fitted for it; and he might instruct him how to behave towards his brethren, for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 11:23

He dealt wisely - It was true policy to disperse his own sons through the different provinces who were not likely to form any league with Jeroboam against their father. He desired many wives - He was much addicted to women; yet we do not find that he formed any heathenish alliances of this nature. And as no particulars are given, we do not know how far he indulged himself in this propensity. He probably strengthened his political connections by these means. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 11:1-23

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 11:1-23

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 11:18-23

Spiritual admixture. After reading the first fourteen verses of the last chapter ( 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 .), we hardly expect to come across the words, concerning Rehoboam, and he dealt wisely ( 2 Chronicles 11:23 ). But this king, though he could certainly be very foolish, was not all folly; like most men, he was a spiritual admixture. We look at— I. THE SINGULAR SPIRITUAL ADMIXTURE WE FIND IN HIM . The account we have of him is not a long one; it is contained in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 11:18-23

A royal polygamist. I. REHOBOAM 'S WIVES . 1 . The number of them. In all eighteen wives and sixty concubines. Solomon had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines ( 1 Kings 11:3 ). David even had more wives and concubines than was good for him ( 2 Samuel 3:2-5 ; 2 Samuel 5:13 ; 2 Samuel 12:8 ). Oriental monarchs generally had well-filled harems. Rameses II . had a hundred and nineteen children (sixty sons and fifty-nine daughters), "which gives... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 11:23

The wise dealing of Rehoboam, fourfold, will not, though it were forty-fold, avail to cover his "despising" of the "Law." Rather his wise dealing is an indication that his conscience was not quite at ease, and that he knew he was wrong. Nothing is so liable to blind judgment as personal affection. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Chronicles 11:23

Rehoboam’s wisdom was shown:(1) In dispersing his other sons instead of allowing them to remain together in Jerusalem, where they might have joined in a plot against Abijah, as Adonijah and his brothers had done against Solomon 1 Kings 1:5-10;(2) In giving his sons positions which might well content them and prevent them from being jealous of Abijah.He desired many wives - (Compare 2 Chronicles 11:21). Some prefer to connect the words with the preceding words. If so, they denote another point... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Chronicles 11:23

2 Chronicles 11:23. He dealt wisely, and dispersed his children, &c. Either, 1st, Lest his other sons should, after his death, unite together against Abijah; or rather, 2d, Because he could repose confidence in them, for the preservation of the public peace and safety, and could trust them with the fenced cities, which he took care to have well victualled, that they might be a defence to the country in case of an invasion. Thus he that dealt foolishly at first, dealt wisely afterward in... read more

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