Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers; for he intended to make him king. He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance and he sought many wives for them.
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2 Chronicles 11:21-23 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Rehoboam took a wife for himself, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse. She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. After her, he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers; for he intended to make him king. He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance and he sought many wives for them.
Parallel Translations
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Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.
Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers; for he intended to make him king.
He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance and he sought many wives for them.
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And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.
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And Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines — for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines, and begot twenty and eight sons and threescore daughters.
And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, even the prince among his brethren; for he was minded to make him king.
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fortified city; and he gave them victual in abundance. And he sought for them many wives.
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Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (16)
- Deuteronomy 17:17 (v21) He shall not multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away. He shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
- Judges 8:30 (v21) Gideon had seventy sons conceived from his body, for he had many wives.
- 1 Kings 11:3 (v21) He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines. His wives turned his heart away.
- 2 Samuel 3:2-5 (v21) Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of…
- 2 Samuel 5:13 (v21) David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to…
Show all 16 cross-references
- Deuteronomy 21:15-17 (v22) If a man has two wives, the one beloved and the other hated, and they have borne him children, both the beloved and the hated, and if the…
- 2 Chronicles 11:23 (v21) He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food…
- Song of Solomon 6:8-9 (v21) There are sixty queens, eighty concubines, and virgins without number. My dove, my perfect one, is unique. She is her mother’s only…
- 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 (v21) Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of…
- Genesis 25:6 (v23) but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines. While he still lived, he sent them away from Isaac his son, eastward, to the…
- 1 Kings 1:5-6 (v23) Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to…
- 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 (v22) The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given…
- 1 Chronicles 29:1 (v22) David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for…
- 2 Chronicles 10:8-15 (v23) But he abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who…
- 2 Chronicles 21:3 (v23) Their father gave them great gifts of silver, of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to…
- Luke 16:8 (v23) “His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv22–23 Called also Abijam, who reigned three years, 1 Kings…
Called also Abijam, who reigned three years, 1 Kings 15:2.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv21–23 2Ch 11:21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of…
2Ch 11:21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
Ver. 21. He took Maachah, the daughter of Absalom,] i.e., His niece by his sister, or his daughter Tamar, whose husband haply was called Uriel. See 1Ki 15:2.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv22–23 To be ruler among his brethren; he declared him…
To be ruler among his brethren; he declared him his successor, and gave him the dominion over his brethren; wherein (if he was not the first-born, as it seems to be implied, because this is mentioned as an effect of his superlative love to his mother) he transgressed that law, Deu 21:15,16, unless God was pleased to dispense with it at this time.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On v21 And he dealt wisely,.... Acted a prudent part, in…
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" (e); 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 present and hereafter, as well as towards all the people in general: or "he (Abijah) understood" (f); had more understanding and wisdom than all the children of Rehoboam; though it seems best to interpret it of Rehoboam himself, since it follows:
and disposed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city; to be governors thereof, in whose hands he could better trust them than in any other; or else, by thus separating them, they would not be able to enter into combination against Abijah; but then he must at the same time appoint some persons to watch and observe them; or otherwise, having such, strong places in their possession, they might rebel against him; the Targum is,"he built and repaired the cities, and appointed of all his children throughout all the countries of the house of Judah, to all the fortified cities;''that is, to have the command of them:
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and he gave them victual in abundance; that they might have no reason to complain, and might be able to hold out a siege against an enemy, should they be attacked:
and he desired many wives; either for himself, or rather for his son, since he himself had many; or "Abijah desired, or asked (g) many wives" of their parents, or of those who had the dispose of them, in imitation of his father.
(e) "erudire faciebat", Pagninus, Grotius; "docuit", Vatablus. (f) "lntellexit", Piscator. (g) "petivit", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "postulavit", Piscator.
Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 12
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv22–23 Ruler - He declared him his successor, and gave…
Ruler - He declared him his successor, and gave him the dominion over, his brethren.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv21–23 Verse 21. Eighteen wives and threescore concubines] Bad enough,…
Verse 21. Eighteen wives and threescore concubines] Bad enough, but not so abandoned as his father. Of these marriages and concubinage the issue was twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters; eighty-eight children in the whole, to the education of the whole of whom he could pay but little attention. Numerous families are often neglected; and children by different women, must be yet in a worse state.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv22–23 2Ch 11:22. Rehoboam made Abijah ruler among his brethren…
2Ch 11:22. Rehoboam made Abijah ruler among his brethren — He declared him his successor, and gave him the dominion over his brethren.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv22–23 Jeush was probably the oldest of Rehoboam’s sons, and…
Jeush was probably the oldest of Rehoboam’s sons, and should naturally and according to the provisions of the Law Deu 21:15-17 have been his heir. But Rehoboam’s affection for Maachah led him to transgress the Law.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv22–23 Head. Septuagint, "prince." (Haydock) --- Grotius maintains that Abia…
Head. Septuagint, "prince." (Haydock) --- Grotius maintains that Abia was the eldest. But all others are of a contrary opinion, and believe that Roboam derogated from the law, (Deuteronomy xxi. 16.; Calmet) as David had done, unless it was left to the option of the king to appoint whom he pleased for his successor. (Haydock) --- Meant. Protestants supply, "he thought" which is found in the Septuagint.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv21–23 he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines--This royal harem,…
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].
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv21–23 21. Eighteen wives, and threescore concubines — See note…
21. Eighteen wives, and threescore concubines — See note on 1Ki_11:3. Rehoboam imitated, but did not go to the extent of, his father’s polygamy. In the number of sons and daughters, however, he far excelled his father.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv22–23 22. the chief, to be ruler] R.V. to be…
22. the chief, to be ruler] R.V. to be chief, even the prince. “Ruler,” Heb. nâgîd is translated “chief ruler” (“prince” R.V.) in 1Ch_5:2.
for he thought] R.V. for is was minded.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv21–23 (21) Loved Maachah.—She probably inherited her mother’s and grandfather’s…
(21) Loved Maachah.—She probably inherited her mother’s and grandfather’s beauty.
For he took—Nâsâ’, as in 2Ch_13:21; a later usage instead of lâqah.
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And threescore concubines.—Josephus (l.c.) says, “thirty,” and the difference in Hebrew is only of one letter. The recurrence of the same number immediately (“threescore daughters”) is also suspicious.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv21–23 Rehoboam was clearly wrong by Deu_17:17. (note Solomon"s Son_6:8)
Rehoboam was clearly wrong by Deu_17:17. (note Solomon"s Son_6:8)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v22 he had the thought of making him king
he had the thought of making him king
"he had thought of making Abijah king"
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he scattered all his sons throughout all the land of Judah and Benjamin to every fortified city
"he sent all his sons throughout all the land to every fortified city of Judah and Benjamin"
translationWords
chief
king
rule
wise
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v23 11:23 Rehoboam’s delegation of control to the royal princes…
11:23 Rehoboam’s delegation of control to the royal princes extended the reign of the royal family into outlying districts. This provided for a smooth transition of power and also made a revolt or attempted coup less likely. Perhaps this was Rehoboam’s conscious attempt to avoid troubles that God had promised David’s house (2 Sam 12:10-11).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.