Abijah Succeeds Rehoboam
November 28, 2021
Commentary
Rehoboam had serious intention of quelling the revolt by force but was stopped by the Word of the Lord through the prophet Shemaiah. He then turns his attention to fortifying the cities, which were in existence before Rehoboam’s time. The purpose of Rehoboam rebuilding the cities (vv.6-10) was not to defend Judah from Israel or to keep in subjection the people of Judah, but to protect his small kingdom from an invasion from Egypt (12:10).
The moment Jeroboam became king of the North he plunged into sin. He changed the symbols of worship, the center of worship, the priesthood, and the scheduled feasts (I Kings 12:25-33). As soon as these changes took place, the priests and Levities began to move to Judah where Jehovah was still worshiped.
The migration was not limited only to the Levites but included Loyalists of all tribes of Israel who desired to worship the Lord. Israel’s loss was Judah’s gain because the migration of those who loved Jehovah strengthened Judah for Rehoboam. Unfortunately, they too apparently apostatized after three years. Through Rehoboam’s second wife Maacah, Abijah was born, who was his father’s choice to succeed him as king, so he made him crown prince (v.20). He then dispersed all his sons throughout the country to maintain a firm grip on his kingdom.
Application
Rehoboam did a lot of things, but most of his work was temporary. What am I doing now that will last forever? Two things are eternal, the word of God and people. Brainstorm with my family as to ways we could better be investing our time and our money.
2 Chronicles 11:1– 23 (NET)
1 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he summoned 180,000 skilled warriors from Judah and Benjamin to attack Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. 2 But the Lord’s message came to the prophet Shemaiah, 3 “Say this to King Rehoboam son of Solomon of Judah and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin, 4 ‘The Lord says this: “Do not attack and make war with your brothers. Each of you go home, for I have caused this to happen.”’” They obeyed the Lord and called off the attack against Jeroboam.
5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem; he built up these fortified cities throughout Judah: 6 Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, 7 Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam, 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, 10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These were the fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. 11 He fortified these cities and placed officers in them, as well as storehouses of food, olive oil, and wine. 12 In each city there were shields and spears; he strongly fortified them. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
13 The priests and Levites who lived throughout Israel supported him, no matter where they resided. 14 The Levites even left their pasturelands and their property behind and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons prohibited them from serving as the Lord’s priests. 15 Jeroboam appointed his own priests to serve at the worship centers and to lead in the worship of the goat idols and calf idols he had made. 16 Those among all the Israelite tribes who were determined to worship the Lord God of Israel followed them to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord God of their ancestors. 17 They supported the kingdom of Judah and were loyal to Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years; they followed the edicts of David and Solomon for three years.
18 Rehoboam married Mahalath the daughter of David’s son Jerimoth and of Abihail, the daughter of Jesse’s son Eliab. 19 She bore him sons named Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. 20 He later married Maacah the daughter of Absalom. She bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than his other wives and concubines. He had eighteen wives and sixty concubines; he fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.
22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maacah as the leader over his brothers, for he intended to name him his successor. 23 He wisely placed some of his many sons throughout the regions of Judah and Benjamin in the various fortified cities. He supplied them with abundant provisions and acquired many wives for them.