New International VersionHe put shields and spears in all the cities, and made them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his.
New Living TranslationHe also put shields and spears in these towns as a further safety measure. So only Judah and Benjamin remained under his control.
English Standard VersionAnd he put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
Berean Standard BibleHe also put shields and spears in all the cities and strengthened them greatly. So Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
King James BibleAnd in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
New King James VersionAlso in every city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
New American Standard BibleHe put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
NASB 1995He put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
NASB 1977And he put shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd he put large shields and spears in every city and strengthened them greatly. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
Amplified BibleAnd in each city he put [large] shields and spears, and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.
Christian Standard BibleHe also put large shields and spears in each and every city to make them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe also put large shields and spears in each and every city to make them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his.
American Standard VersionAnd in every city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
Contemporary English Versionas well as with shields and spears. He used these fortified cities to keep control of Judah and Benjamin.
English Revised VersionAnd in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIn each city he stored shields and spears. He made the cities very secure. So Rehoboam held on to Judah and Benjamin.
Good News Translationand also shields and spears. In this way he kept Judah and Benjamin under his control.
International Standard VersionHe also stockpiled shields and spears in every city and fortified them greatly to secure his rule over Judah and Benjamin.
NET BibleIn each city there were shields and spears; he strongly fortified them. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
New Heart English BibleHe put shields and spears in every city, and made them exceeding strong. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe also put shields and spears in all the cities and strengthened them greatly. So Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
World English BibleHe put shields and spears in every city, and made them exceedingly strong. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand in each and every city [he puts] bucklers and spears, and strengthens them very greatly; and he has Judah and Benjamin.
Young's Literal Translation and in every city and city targets and spears, and strengtheneth them very greatly; and he hath Judah and Benjamin.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd in every city and city, shields and spears, and he will strengthen them very greatly, and there will be to him Judah and Benjamin. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMoreover in every city he made an armoury of shields and spears, and he fortified them with great diligence, and he reigned over Juda, and Benjamin,
Catholic Public Domain VersionMoreover, in each city he made an armory of shields and spears, and he strengthened them with the utmost diligence. And he ruled over Judah and Benjamin.
New American BibleIn every city were shields and spears, and he made them very strong. Thus Judah and Benjamin remained his.
New Revised Standard VersionHe also put large shields and spears in all the cities, and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleGo to him; he shall tell you what shall become of this child.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd you shall go to him. He will reveal to you whatever happens to this boy.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And in every city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And Judah and Benjamin adhered to him.
Brenton Septuagint Translationshields and spears in every several city, and he fortified them very strongly, and he had on his side Juda and Benjamin.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Rehoboam Fortifies Judah… 11He strengthened their fortresses and put officers in them, with supplies of food, oil, and wine. 12He also put shieldsand spearsin allthe citiesand strengthened themgreatly.So Judahand Benjaminbelongedto him.
Cross References 1 Kings 12:21-24And when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the whole house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against the house of Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon. / But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: / “Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people ...
2 Chronicles 12:1-4After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he and all Israel with him forsook the Law of the LORD. / In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem / with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites. ...
2 Chronicles 17:2He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.
2 Chronicles 14:6-7Because the land was at peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. In those days no one made war with him, because the LORD had given him rest. / So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.
2 Chronicles 26:14-15Uzziah supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and slingstones. / And in Jerusalem he made skillfully designed devices to shoot arrows and catapult large stones from the towers and corners. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was helped tremendously until he became powerful.
2 Chronicles 32:5Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.
2 Chronicles 11:5-10Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah. / He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, / Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, ...
2 Chronicles 13:3Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor.
2 Chronicles 14:8Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.
2 Chronicles 17:10-12And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. / Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks. / Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah
2 Chronicles 20:29And the fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.
2 Chronicles 21:8-10In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. / So Jehoram crossed into Edom with his officers and all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. / So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled against his hand at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers.
2 Chronicles 27:3-4Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, and he worked extensively on the wall at the hill of Ophel. / He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.
2 Chronicles 32:27-29Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable articles. / He also made storehouses for the harvest of grain and new wine and oil, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pens for the flocks. / He made cities for himself, and he acquired herds of sheep and cattle in abundance, for God gave him very great wealth.
2 Chronicles 33:14After this, Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David from west of Gihon in the valley to the entrance of the Fish Gate, and he brought it around the hill of Ophel and heightened it considerably. He also stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah.
Treasury of Scripture And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side. he put shields 2 Chronicles 26:14,15 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slingsto cast stones… 2 Chronicles 32:5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raisedit up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Milloin the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. 2 Samuel 13:19,22 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours thatwas on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying… having Judah 2 Chronicles 11:1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosenmen, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. Jump to Previous AdheredBelongedBenjaminBody-CoversCitiesCityExceedingExceedinglyGreatlyHeldJudahSeveralShieldsSideSpearsStoresStrengthenedStrengthenethStrongTargetsJump to Next AdheredBelongedBenjaminBody-CoversCitiesCityExceedingExceedinglyGreatlyHeldJudahSeveralShieldsSideSpearsStoresStrengthenedStrengthenethStrongTargets2 Chronicles 11 1.Rehoboam raising an army to subdue Israel, is forbidden by Shemaiah5.He strengthens his kingdom with forts and provisions13.The priests and Levites, and such as feared God, forsaken by Jeroboam,17.strengthen the kingdom of Judah18.The wives and children of RehoboamHe also put shields and spears in all the citiesThis phrase highlights Rehoboam's strategic military preparations. Shields and spears were common weapons in ancient warfare, indicating a focus on defense and readiness for conflict. The act of placing these weapons in all the cities suggests a comprehensive approach to fortification, ensuring that each city was equipped to defend itself. This reflects the political and military tension of the time, as Rehoboam sought to secure his kingdom against potential threats, particularly from the northern tribes under Jeroboam's rule. The emphasis on military readiness can be seen as a response to the division of the kingdom, a significant event in Israel's history. and strengthened them greatly
Rehoboam's efforts to strengthen the cities indicate a focus on consolidating power and ensuring the security of his reign. This strengthening likely involved not only military fortifications but also administrative and economic measures to support the cities' defenses. The phrase suggests a period of relative stability and security for Judah and Benjamin, despite the broader context of division and conflict. This action can be seen as a fulfillment of the divine promise to maintain a remnant of David's kingdom, as seen in1 Kings 11:36, where God promises to give one tribe to Solomon's son for the sake of David. So Judah and Benjamin belonged to him
This statement underscores the political reality following the division of the united monarchy. Judah and Benjamin were the two tribes that remained loyal to Rehoboam, forming the southern kingdom of Judah. This division was a fulfillment of the prophecy given to Solomon regarding the tearing of the kingdom due to his idolatry (1 Kings 11:11-13). The mention of these two tribes highlights the reduced scope of Rehoboam's rule compared to his father Solomon's expansive kingdom. The loyalty of Judah and Benjamin also reflects the historical and cultural ties to Jerusalem, the political and religious center of the southern kingdom, where the temple built by Solomon stood. Persons / Places / Events 1. RehoboamThe son of Solomon and king of Judah, Rehoboam is central to this passage as he fortifies the cities of Judah and Benjamin. 2. Judah and BenjaminThese are the two tribes that remained loyal to Rehoboam after the division of the kingdom. The fortified cities were located in these territories. 3. Fortified CitiesRehoboam's strategic military preparation involved strengthening these cities with weapons and defenses to protect against potential threats. Teaching Points Strategic PreparationJust as Rehoboam fortified cities, Christians are called to prepare spiritually by equipping themselves with the Word of God and prayer. Trust in God's SovereigntyWhile Rehoboam took practical steps to secure his kingdom, ultimate trust should be placed in God's sovereign protection. Unity and LoyaltyThe loyalty of Judah and Benjamin to Rehoboam can inspire believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to God and His community. Defense Against Spiritual ThreatsJust as Rehoboam prepared for physical threats, believers must be vigilant against spiritual threats, using the armor of God. Leadership and ResponsibilityRehoboam's actions remind leaders of their responsibility to protect and guide those under their care. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 11
2 Chronicles 11 portrays Rehoboam as a strong central authority; how do we address the inconsistencies when comparing his strength here with his weaker portrayal in other biblical passages?
The chief of the mighty men of David lifted up his spear and killed how many men at one time? Eight hundred (2 Samuel 23:8) Three hundred (I Chronicles 11: 11)
If Jehoash 'did what was right' (2 Kings 12:2), why did he later resort to bribing Hazael with sacred treasures rather than relying on divine intervention?
In 2 Chronicles 25:5-6, do the large troop numbers (300,000 men from Judah plus 100,000 hired from Israel) align with known historical or archaeological data for that period?(12) Shields.--The "targets" of 2Chronicles 9:15. Made them exceeding strong.--Strengthened them (the same word as "fortified" in2Chronicles 11:11)very abundantly (l'harb?h meod). A form of words only used by the chronicler. (See2Chronicles 16:8; and comp.Nehemiah 6:18.) Having Judah and Benjamin on his side.--Literally,and he had (or,there fell to him) Judah and Benjamin. A definition of Rehoboam's territory. (Comp.2Chronicles 10:17.) . . . Verse 12. - Having Judah and Benjamin on his side. The mention of both tribes just serves to point for us the fact that Benjamin's existence and value were not absolutely ignored, but were for a short while quoted before the kingdom of Rehoboam became called by the name of Judah simply.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew He also put shieldsצִנּ֣וֹת(ṣin·nō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6793:A hook, a, shield, coldand spearsוּרְמָחִ֔ים(ū·rə·mā·ḥîm)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7420:A lance, the iron pointin allוּבְכָל־(ū·ḇə·ḵāl)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe citiesוָעִיר֙(wā·‘îr)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892:Excitementand strengthenedוַֽיְחַזְּקֵ֖ם(way·ḥaz·zə·qêm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2388:To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquerthem greatly.לְהַרְבֵּ֣ה(lə·har·bêh)Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7235:To be or become much, many or greatSo Judahיְהוּדָ֥ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelitesand Benjaminוּבִנְיָמִֽן׃(ū·ḇin·yā·min)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144:Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelitesbelonged to him.וַיְהִי־(way·hî-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be
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OT History: 2 Chronicles 11:12 In every city he put shields (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
