REHOBOAM, RAISING AN ARMY TO SUBDUE ISRAEL, IS FORBIDDEN BY SHEMAIAH. (2Ch. 11:1-17) Rehoboam . . . gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin . . . to fight against Israel--(See Kg1 12:21-24).
1Cuando vino Roboam a Jerusalén, reunió de la casa de Judá y de Benjamín a ciento ochenta mil hombres escogidos de guerra, para pelear contra Israel y hacer volver el reino a Roboam.
2Mas vino palabra de Jehová a Semaías varón de Dios, diciendo:
3Habla a Roboam hijo de Salomón, rey de Judá, y a todos los israelitas en Judá y Benjamín, diciéndoles:
4Así ha dicho Jehová: No subáis, ni peleéis contra vuestros hermanos; vuélvase cada uno a su casa, porque yo he hecho esto. Y ellos oyeron la palabra de Jehová y se volvieron, y no fueron contra Jeroboam.
5Y habitó Roboam en Jerusalén, y edificó ciudades para fortificar a Judá.
6Edificó Belén, Etam, Tecoa,
7Bet-sur, Soco, Adulam,
8Gat, Maresa, Zif,
9Adoraim, Laquis, Azeca,
10Zora, Ajalón y Hebrón, que eran ciudades fortificadas de Judá y Benjamín.
11Reforzó también las fortalezas, y puso en ellas capitanes, y provisiones, vino y aceite;
12y en todas las ciudades puso escudos y lanzas. Las fortificó, pues, en gran manera; y Judá y Benjamín le estaban sujetos.
13Y los sacerdotes y levitas que estaban en todo Israel, se juntaron a él desde todos los lugares donde vivían.
14Porque los levitas dejaban sus ejidos y sus posesiones, y venían a Judá y a Jerusalén; pues Jeroboam y sus hijos los excluyeron del ministerio de Jehová.
15Y él designó sus propios sacerdotes para los lugares altos, y para los demonios, y para los becerros que él había hecho.
16Tras aquellos acudieron también de todas las tribus de Israel los que habían puesto su corazón en buscar a Jehová Dios de Israel; y vinieron a Jerusalén para ofrecer sacrificios a Jehová, el Dios de sus padres.
17Así fortalecieron el reino de Judá, y confirmaron a Roboam hijo de Salomón, por tres años; porque tres años anduvieron en el camino de David y de Salomón.
18Y tomó Roboam por mujer a Mahalat hija de Jerimot, hijo de David y de Abihail hija de Eliab, hijo de Isaí,
19la cual le dio a luz estos hijos: Jeús, Semarías y Zaham.
20Después de ella tomó a Maaca hija de Absalón, la cual le dio a luz Abías, Atai, Ziza y Selomit.
21Pero Roboam amó a Maaca hija de Absalón sobre todas sus mujeres y concubinas; porque tomó dieciocho mujeres y sesenta concubinas, y engendró veintiocho hijos y sesenta hijas.
22Y puso Roboam a Abías hijo de Maaca por jefe y príncipe de sus hermanos, porque quería hacerle rey.
23Obró sagazmente, y esparció a todos sus hijos por todas las tierras de Judá y de Benjamín, y por todas las ciudades fortificadas, y les dio provisiones en abundancia, y muchas mujeres.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 5
I. built cities for defence in Judah--This is evidently used as the name of the southern kingdom. Re…
built cities for defence in Judah--This is evidently used as the name of the southern kingdom. Rehoboam, having now a bitter enemy in Israel, deemed it prudent to lose no time in fortifying several cities that lay along the frontier of his kingdom. Jeroboam, on his side, took a similar precaution (Kg1 12:25). Of the fifteen cities named, Aijalon, now Yalo, and Zorah, now Surah, between Jerusalem and Jabneh [ROBINSON], lay within the province of Benjamin. Gath, though a Philistine city, had been subject to Solomon. And Etham, which was on the border of Simeon, now incorporated with the kingdom of Israel, was fortified to repel danger from that quarter. These fortresses Rehoboam placed under able commanders and stocked them with provisions and military stores, sufficient, if necessary, to stand a siege. In the crippled state of his kingdom, he seems to have been afraid lest it might be made the prey of some powerful neighbors.
II
Versículo 13
II. the priests and the Levites . . . resorted to him out of all their coasts--This was an accession …
the priests and the Levites . . . resorted to him out of all their coasts--This was an accession of moral power, for the maintenance of the true religion is the best support and safeguard of any nation; and as it was peculiarly the grand source of the strength and prosperity of the Hebrew monarchy, the great numbers of good and pious people who sought an asylum within the territories of Judah contributed greatly to consolidate the throne of Rehoboam. The cause of so extensive an emigration from the kingdom of Israel was the deep and daring policy of Jeroboam, who set himself to break the national unity by entirely abolishing, within his dominions, the religious institutions of Judaism. He dreaded an eventual reunion of the tribes if the people continued to repair thrice a year to worship in Jerusalem as they were obliged by law to do. Accordingly, on pretense that the distance of that city was too great for multitudes of his subjects, he fixed upon two more convenient places, where he established a new mode of worshipping God under gross and prohibited symbols [Kg1 12:26-33]. The priests and Levites, refusing to take part in the idolatrous ceremonies, were ejected from their living [Ch2 11:13-14]. Along with them a large body of the people who faithfully adhered to the instituted worship of God, offended and shocked by the impious innovations, departed from the kingdom.
III
Versículo 15
III. he ordained him priests--The persons he appointed to the priesthood were low and worthless creatu…
he ordained him priests--The persons he appointed to the priesthood were low and worthless creatures (Kg1 12:31; Kg1 13:33); any were consecrated who brought a bullock and seven rams (Ch2 13:9; Exo 29:37).
for the high places--Those favorite places of religious worship were encouraged throughout the country.
for the devils--a term sometimes used for idols in general (Lev 17:7). But here it is applied distinctively to the goat deities, which were probably worshipped chiefly in the northern parts of his kingdom, where the heathen Canaanites still abounded.
for the calves which he had made--figures of the ox gods Apis and Mnevis, with which Jeroboam's residence in Egypt had familiarized him. (See on Kg1 12:26).
IV
Versículo 17
IV. they strengthened the kingdom of Judah--The innovating measures of Jeroboam were not introduced a…
they strengthened the kingdom of Judah--The innovating measures of Jeroboam were not introduced all at once. But as they were developed, the secession of the most excellent of his subjects began, and continuing to increase for three years, lowered the tone of religion in his kingdom, while it proportionally quickened its life and extended its influence in that of Judah.
V
Versículo 18
V. HIS WIVES AND CHILDREN. (Ch2 11:18-23)
HIS WIVES AND CHILDREN. (Ch2 11:18-23)
Rehoboam took Mahalath--The names of her father and mother are given. Jerimoth, the father, must have been the son of one of David's concubines (Ch1 3:9). Abihail was, of course, his cousin, previous to their marriage.
VI
Versículo 20
VI. after her he took Maachah . . . daughter--that is, granddaughter (Sa2 14:27) of Absalom, Tamar be…
after her he took Maachah . . . daughter--that is, granddaughter (Sa2 14:27) of Absalom, Tamar being, according to JOSEPHUS, her mother. (Compare Sa2 18:18).
VII
Versículo 21
VII. he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines--This royal harem, though far smaller than his …
he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines--This royal harem, though far smaller than his father's, was equally in violation of the law, which forbade a king to "multiply wives unto himself" [Deu 17:17].
VIII
Versículo 22
VIII. made Abijah . . . chief . . . ruler among his brethren--This preference seems to have been given …
made Abijah . . . chief . . . ruler among his brethren--This preference seems to have been given to Abijah solely from the king's doting fondness for his mother and through her influence over him. It is plainly implied that Abijah was not the oldest of the family. In destining a younger son for the kingdom, without a divine warrant, as in Solomon's case, Rehoboam acted in violation of the law (Deu 21:15).
IX
Versículo 23
IX. he dealt wisely--that is, with deep and calculating policy (Exo 1:10).
he dealt wisely--that is, with deep and calculating policy (Exo 1:10).
and dispersed of all his children . . . unto every fenced city--The circumstance of twenty-eight sons of the king being made governors of fortresses would, in our quarter of the world, produce jealousy and dissatisfaction. But Eastern monarchs ensure peace and tranquillity to their kingdom by bestowing government offices on their sons and grandsons. They obtain an independent provision, and being kept apart, are not likely to cabal in their father's lifetime. Rehoboam acted thus, and his sagacity will appear still greater if the wives he desired for them belonged to the cities where each son was located. These connections would bind them more closely to their respective places. In the modern countries of the East, particularly Persia and Turkey, younger princes were, till very lately, shut up in the harem during their father's lifetime; and, to prevent competition, they were blinded or killed when their brother ascended the throne. In the former country the old practice of dispersing them through the country as Rehoboam did, has been again revived.
Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 12
Antiguo Testamento
2 Chronicles — Capítulo 11
REHOBOAM, RAISING AN ARMY TO SUBDUE ISRAEL, IS FORBIDDEN BY SHEMAIAH. (2Ch. 11:1-17) Rehoboam . . . gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin . . . to fight against Israel--(See Kg1 12:21-24).
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Cuando vino Roboam a Jerusalén, reunió de la casa de Judá y de Benjamín a ciento ochenta mil hombres escogidos de guerra, para pelear contra Israel y hacer volver el reino a Roboam.
2Mas vino palabra de Jehová a Semaías varón de Dios, diciendo:
3Habla a Roboam hijo de Salomón, rey de Judá, y a todos los israelitas en Judá y Benjamín, diciéndoles:
4Así ha dicho Jehová: No subáis, ni peleéis contra vuestros hermanos; vuélvase cada uno a su casa, porque yo he hecho esto. Y ellos oyeron la palabra de Jehová y se volvieron, y no fueron contra Jeroboam.
5Y habitó Roboam en Jerusalén, y edificó ciudades para fortificar a Judá.
6Edificó Belén, Etam, Tecoa,
7Bet-sur, Soco, Adulam,
8Gat, Maresa, Zif,
9Adoraim, Laquis, Azeca,
10Zora, Ajalón y Hebrón, que eran ciudades fortificadas de Judá y Benjamín.
11Reforzó también las fortalezas, y puso en ellas capitanes, y provisiones, vino y aceite;
12y en todas las ciudades puso escudos y lanzas. Las fortificó, pues, en gran manera; y Judá y Benjamín le estaban sujetos.
13Y los sacerdotes y levitas que estaban en todo Israel, se juntaron a él desde todos los lugares donde vivían.
14Porque los levitas dejaban sus ejidos y sus posesiones, y venían a Judá y a Jerusalén; pues Jeroboam y sus hijos los excluyeron del ministerio de Jehová.
15Y él designó sus propios sacerdotes para los lugares altos, y para los demonios, y para los becerros que él había hecho.
16Tras aquellos acudieron también de todas las tribus de Israel los que habían puesto su corazón en buscar a Jehová Dios de Israel; y vinieron a Jerusalén para ofrecer sacrificios a Jehová, el Dios de sus padres.
17Así fortalecieron el reino de Judá, y confirmaron a Roboam hijo de Salomón, por tres años; porque tres años anduvieron en el camino de David y de Salomón.
18Y tomó Roboam por mujer a Mahalat hija de Jerimot, hijo de David y de Abihail hija de Eliab, hijo de Isaí,
19la cual le dio a luz estos hijos: Jeús, Semarías y Zaham.
20Después de ella tomó a Maaca hija de Absalón, la cual le dio a luz Abías, Atai, Ziza y Selomit.
21Pero Roboam amó a Maaca hija de Absalón sobre todas sus mujeres y concubinas; porque tomó dieciocho mujeres y sesenta concubinas, y engendró veintiocho hijos y sesenta hijas.
22Y puso Roboam a Abías hijo de Maaca por jefe y príncipe de sus hermanos, porque quería hacerle rey.
23Obró sagazmente, y esparció a todos sus hijos por todas las tierras de Judá y de Benjamín, y por todas las ciudades fortificadas, y les dio provisiones en abundancia, y muchas mujeres.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 5
I. built cities for defence in Judah--This is evidently used as the name of the southern kingdom. Re…
Versículo 13
II. the priests and the Levites . . . resorted to him out of all their coasts--This was an accession …
Versículo 15
III. he ordained him priests--The persons he appointed to the priesthood were low and worthless creatu…
Versículo 17
IV. they strengthened the kingdom of Judah--The innovating measures of Jeroboam were not introduced a…
Versículo 18
V. HIS WIVES AND CHILDREN. (Ch2 11:18-23)
Versículo 20
VI. after her he took Maachah . . . daughter--that is, granddaughter (Sa2 14:27) of Absalom, Tamar be…
Versículo 21
VII. he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines--This royal harem, though far smaller than his …
Versículo 22
VIII. made Abijah . . . chief . . . ruler among his brethren--This preference seems to have been given …
Versículo 23
IX. he dealt wisely--that is, with deep and calculating policy (Exo 1:10).