2 Chronicles 12:1-4 NIV

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 12:1

And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom ,.... Or when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established; the tribes of Judah and Benjamin being firmly attached to him, and great numbers from the other tribes coming over to him, and things going on peaceably and prosperously during the three years that he and his people abode by the pure worship of God: and had strengthened himself ; built fortified cities for the defence of himself and kingdom, 2 Chronicles 11:5 , he... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 12:1

He forsook the law of the Lord - This was after the three years mentioned 2 Chronicles 11:17 . 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

When Rehoboam had established the kingdom … strengthened himself ; i.e. while insecure and full of apprehensions, Rehoboam walked humbly and surely, but when he thought his object, simply safety, was gained, his true and worse self appeared or reappeared, and, clothed with self-confidence, he forsakes the "Law," to bring sure retribution on himself. All Israel with him. When we turn to the fuller statements of the parallel ( 1 Kings 14:22-24 ), we see that the sins that were at work... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:1

The peril of security. The King of Judah, whose career had been marked By such a strange admixture of good and evil, of wisdom and folly (see homily on 2 Chronicles 11:18-23 ), here takes another turn in his varied course, and this time a decisive one; but we mark first— I. THE GOOD WORK OF CONSOLIDATION . He "had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself." The reference is, principally though not perhaps exclusively, to the action chronicled in the previous... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:1

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 12:1

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 12:1

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