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All of 2 Chronicles

Bible Chapter Summary

2 Chronicles 11 Summary

Rehoboam Fortifies Judah and Strengthens the Kingdom

After Rehoboam gathers forces to war against Israel, the Lord sends Shemaiah to forbid the battle, and the armies return home. Rehoboam then fortifies cities in Judah and Benjamin with garrisons, supplies, weapons, and shields. Priests and Levites from all Israel come to Judah and Jerusalem, and Israelites seeking the Lord join them. For three years the kingdom is strengthened as the people follow the ways of David and Solomon, and Rehoboam takes multiple wives and children.

Key themes

God's restraint of warFortification and defensePriestly migrationThree-year obedienceRoyal family growth

Key verses

2 Chronicles 11:4

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 11:5-12

And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam, And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities. And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine. And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

2 Chronicles 11:13-16

And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD: And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 11:17

So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

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