Rehoboam assembled 180,000 warriors from Judah and Benjamin to reconquer Israel, but the prophet Shemaiah delivered God's message forbidding the campaign because the division was from the Lord, and the army returned home. Rehoboam fortified fifteen cities in Judah and Benjamin as defensive strongholds, stocking them with provisions, shields, and spears, and the priests and Levites from throughout Israel joined him in Judah because Jeroboam had rejected them from serving as priests. For three years Rehoboam and Judah walked in the way of David and Solomon as the faithful from all tribes strengthened the kingdom, and Rehoboam took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, fathering twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters, with Abijah son of Maacah designated as crown prince.
Read 2 Chronicles Chapter 11 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Builder of the temple and Israel's most glorious king
Reforming king who restored temple worship and trusted God against Assyria
Young king who led the greatest revival, rediscovered the Law
Godly king known for his prayer and trust in God during battle
First King of Judah after the Division
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Youngest Son of Jacob
King of Israel
Rebellious Son of David
Places in This Chapter
Bethlehem, meaning "House of Bread," is most famous as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Located about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem, it was also the hometown of King David and the setting of the Book of Ruth. The prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would come from this small town. Today, the Church of the Nativity marks the traditional site of Jesus' birth.
Gath was one of the five major Philistine cities and the home of Goliath, the giant warrior who defied Israel. David fled to Gath to escape Saul and pretended to be insane before King Achish. The city was eventually conquered by David. The phrase "Tell it not in Gath" comes from David's lament over Saul and Jonathan.
Position in Book
Rehoboam's folly causes division; Judah's early kings.