2 Chronicles 10:1-12:16 Comments by Stephen Ricker
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Rehoboam
Comments for Study 4

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Memory Verse: 10:8
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Outline

MAPS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH
A MAP OF THE DIVISION OF CANAAN
A MAP OF DAVID'S ESCAPE FROM SAUL AND BATTLE AT GILBOA
A MAP OF DAVID'S CONQUESTS
A MAP OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ISRAEL
A MAP OF JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPLE
A LIST OF ISRAEL'S KINGS AND PROPHETS
A TIMELINE OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY
A TIMELINE FROM BABYLON TO ROMAN EMPIRES

SORRY, THE COMMENTARY THIS BOOK HAS NOT BEEN FINISHED.
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I. King Rehoboam and the Israelites (10:1-11:23)

>1. What had Shechem been historically to Israel that Rehoboam wanted to be made king there? (Gen. 12:6-7, 33:18-19; Josh. 8:30-35, 24:1-17, 32)

* 2 Chronicles 10:1 "Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all the Israelites had gone there to make him king."

* "Shechem" - Shechem is a personal and place name meaning, "shoulder, back." It was a district and city in the hill country of Ephraim in north central Palestine. The first capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, the city was built mainly on the slope, or shoulder, of Mount Ebal. Situated where main highways and ancient trade routes converged, Shechem was an important city long before the Israelites occupied Canaan.

The city makes its earliest appearance in biblical history in connection with Abram's arrival in the land (Gen. 12:6-7). When Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, he settled down at Shechem and purchased land from the sons of Hamor (33:18-19). In Genesis 33-34, Shechem was the name of the city and also of the prince of the city. While Jacob was at Shechem, the unfortunate incident of Dinah occurred. Simeon and Levi, her full brothers, destroyed the city (Gen. 34). Later, the brothers of Joseph were herding Jacob's flock at Shechem when Joseph was sent to check on their welfare. Joseph was buried in the plot of ground that his father Jacob had purchased here (Josh. 24:32).

As the Israelites conquered Canaan, they turned unexpectedly to Shechem. Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal and led the people in its building, renewing their commitment to the law of Moses (Josh. 8:30-35; compare Deut. 27:12-13). Shechem lay in the tribal territory of Ephraim near their border with Manasseh (Josh. 17:7). It was a city of refuge (Josh. 20:7) and a Levitical city (21:21). Joshua led Israel to renew its covenant with God there (Josh. 24:1-17). Gideon's son Abimelech fought the leaders of Shechem (Judg. 8:31-9:49).

* 1 Kings 12 also records Rehoboam decision that lead to Israel dividing in two.

* Rehoboam reigned Judah from 930 to 913 B.C. See link above for a list of Israel and Judah's kings.

* The Chronicler(s) assume that the reader is famiar with 1 Kings 11:26-40.

* The author(s) of Chronicles does not record Solomon's sin by marrying many wives of the nations that the Lord said they should not marry. These wives lead him away from the Lord and lead him to their foriegn gods. 1 Kings 11 does. 1 Kings 11:1-4 states that this is the reason that the Lord split kingdom of Israel in two. The rest of 1 Kings goes into the details.

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* Israel did not calculated a king's ascension and reign as other nations. After Israel and Judah split Judah kept calculating to "old way" and Israel switched and started calculating the way other nations did around them. Read "The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings" by Edwin Richard Thiele for more understanding on how Israel and Judah calculated the dates of their king's ascension and reign.

>What did Jeroboam believe enough to return to Israel? (2, 1 Kings 11:34-37)

* 2 Chronicles 10:2 "When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt."

* 1 Kings 11:34-37 "'But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon's hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who observed my commands and statutes. I will take the kingdom from his son's hands and give you ten tribes. I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name. However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel."

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>Why would Israel send for him? (3-4)

* 2 Chronicles 10:3-4 "So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: 4 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.'"

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>What opportunity did Rehoboam miss from the beginning? (5; Matt. 5:9)

* 2 Chronicles 10:5 "Rehoboam answered, "Come back to me in three days." So the people went away."

* Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

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>2. Who did Rehoboam consult with first? (6)

* 2 Chronicles 10:6 "Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked."

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>What obvious answer did they give? (7)

* 2 Chronicles 10:7 "They replied, "If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants." 8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 9 He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?" 10 The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell the people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'--tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. 11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.'"

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>Why might he seek a different opinion? (8-9)

* 2 Chronicles 10:8-9 "But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 9 He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?""

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>Why would the young men give the answer they gave? (10-11)

* 2 Chronicles 10:10-11 "The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell the people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'--tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. 11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.'"

* Matthew 23:25-26 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."

* Luke 12:15 "Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

* Colossians 3:5-6 "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."

* 1 Thessalonians 2:5 "You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness."

* 2 Peter 2:3 "In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."

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>3. What kind of man would give the answer Jeroboam gave? (12-14) Who was behind this? (15) What can be learned about the Lord? (Rom. 11:33-36) How did Israel respond to the king? (16) Where all tribes involved in the rebellion? (17) Why would Rehoboam send his labor under-lord? (18-19)

* 2 Chronicles 10:12-19 "Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, "Come back to me in three days." 13 The king answered them harshly. Rejecting the advice of the elders, 14 he followed the advice of the young men and said, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions." 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God, to fulfill the word the LORD had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite. 16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: "What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse's son? To your tents, O Israel! Look after your own house, O David!" So all the Israelites went home. 17 But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them. 18 King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. King Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day."

* Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

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* Romans 11:33-36 "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."

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* 1 Kings 12:20 adds, "When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David."

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* Israel did not calculated a king's ascension and reign as other nations. After Israel and Judah split Judah kept calculating to "old way" and Israel switched and started calculating the way other nations did around them. Read The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings by Edwin Richard Thiele for more understanding on how Israel and Judah calculated the dates of their king's ascension and reign.

>4. How did Rehoboam's response further define his character? (12:1) What kind of faith must have Shemaiah have to deliver this message? (2-3) What did the Lord reveal to Judah and Benjamin? (4)

* 2 Chronicles 11:1-4 "When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mustered the house of Judah and Benjamin--a hundred and eighty thousand fighting men--to make war against Israel and to regain the kingdom for Rehoboam. 2 But this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God: 3 "Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin, 4 'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.'" So they obeyed the words of the LORD and turned back from marching against Jeroboam."

* 1 Kings 12:21-24 also records this event.

* 1 Kings 12:25-33 records King Jeroboam's reign started with building idols in Israel, the northern kingdom. Jeroboam reign of the norther kingdoms was from 930 to 909 B.C. 1 Chronicles does not mention much about the northern kingdom.

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* 2 Chronicles 11:5-23 "Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up towns for defense in 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 fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. 11 He strengthened their defenses and put commanders in them, with supplies of food, olive oil and wine. 12 He put shields and spears in all the cities, and made them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his. 13 The priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel sided with him. 14 The Levites even abandoned their pasturelands and property, and came to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD. 15 And he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat and calf idols he had made. 16 Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their fathers. 17 They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon three years, walking in the ways of David and Solomon during this time. 18 Rehoboam married Mahalath, who was the daughter of David's son Jerimoth and of Abihail, the daughter of Jesse's son Eliab. 19 She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham. 20 Then he married Maacah daughter of Absalom, who bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith. 21 Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than any of his other wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. 22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maacah to be the chief prince among his brothers, in order to make him king. 23 He acted wisely, dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and took many wives for them."

* 2 Chronicles 11:5-23 are mostly unique to Chronicles.

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II. Rehoboam's Bad Example (12:1-11)

>5. What happened to Judah? (1-6) Why? What did the leaders of Judah and the king do? (6)

* 2 Chronicles 12:1-6 "After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD. 2 Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam. 3 With twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of Libyans, Sukkites and Cushites that came with him from Egypt, 4 he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem. 5 Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, "This is what the LORD says, 'You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.'" 6 The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is just."

* 1 Kings 14:25-26 are simimlar to 1 Chronicles 12:2. "Because they had been unfaithful to the Lord..." is added here.

* 1 Kings 14:21-31 record more of Rehoboam, king of Judah's reign including Shishak, king of Egypt's attack against Jerusalem and taking the spoils back to Egypt.

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>6. What did the Lord do when he saw Rehoboam's respond? (7-11) What can be learned about God? What must have Rehoboam thought when he went to the Lord's temple after that?

* 2 Chronicles 12:7-11 "When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: "Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. 8 They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands." 9 When Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem, he carried off the treasures of the temple of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including the gold shields Solomon had made. 10 So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned these to the commanders of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace. 11 Whenever the king went to the LORD's temple, the guards went with him, bearing the shields, and afterward they returned them to the guardroom."

* 1 Kings 14:26-28 are the same as 2 Chronicles 12:9-11.

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III. Rehoboam's Repentance (12:12-16)

>7. What did Rehoboam do after Egypt's attack? (12-16) How did the Lord respond? What can we learn about God?

* 2 Chronicles 12:12-13 "Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD's anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah. 13 King Rehoboam established himself firmly in Jerusalem and continued as king. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name. His mother's name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite. "

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>8. Why did King Rehoboam so evil? What can be learned?

* 2 Chronicles 12:14 "He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD."

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>9. How was it between the northern tribes and the southern tribes? Where was a source of other information about the king? Are these available to us today?

* 2 Chronicles 12:15-16 "As for the events of Rehoboam's reign, from beginning to end, are they not written in the records of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer that deal with genealogies? There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. 16 Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And Abijah his son succeeded him as king."

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