2 Chronicles
Verse 1. Chosen. Septuagint “young,” ( Bible.) as the Hebrew term also signifies. Tirinus.—His. Hebrew “the kingdom again to Roboam.”
EXPLANATIONS
2 Chronicles 11
Historical chapter commentary
2 Chronicles
Verse 4. Will, to punish the disorders of Solomon, and so forth See 3 Kennicott. 12:24. Genesis 45:8. God knows how to draw good out of evil, without approving the misconduct of men. Bible.
2 Chronicles
Verse 5. Juda. This was now become a frontier country, and both kings were forced to erect fortifications. 3 Kennicott. 12:25.
2 Chronicles
Verse 6. Etam, famous for fine waters and gardens, (Joseph. viii. 2.) about ten miles from Jerusalem, on the road to Hebron. It was fortified against the inroads of Simeon and Dan. Calmet.
2 Chronicles
Verse 11. Governors, of a military character. Hebrew “captains, ( Tirinus.) and store of provisions, (wheat) and of oil,” and so forth such as would be requisite in a siege.
2 Chronicles
Verse 14. Off. This was done at different times; so that almost all the Levites took refuge in the dominions of Juda. Yet some prevaricated. Ezechiel (44:12) only exempts the family of Sadoc. Calmet.—The rest set before us a noble example to endure temporal loss, rather than to neglect the practice of religion, or to conform to a false one. Worthington.
2 Chronicles
Verse 15. Devils. Hebrew “goats.” Calmet.—Septuagint express this by two names, “for the idols, and for the fools.” Bible.—The Mendesians of Egypt, solemnly worshipped the goat; and Pan was represented nearly in the same form. Yet it is probable that the Hebrews style the idols by this name out of derision. 3 Kennicott. 15:2. Calmet.
2 Chronicles
Verse 17. They, the pious refugees. Tirinus. Calmet. 15:9.—Solomon, while virtuous.—Only is not expressed in Hebrew or Septuagint but it is sufficiently implied.
2 Chronicles
Verse 18. Daughter. Hebrew ban, “the son.” But bath, “daughter,” ( Bible.) occurs properly in some MSS. as in the ancient versions. Leusden has here this very odd note: “perhaps by ban, (with a pathah) here both sexes may be understood.” Forte per ban hic intelligitur uterque sexus. Kennicott—Prot. substitute, “daughter.” Bible.
2 Chronicles
Verse 20. Daughter, or grand-daughter, by Thamar. 3 Kennicott. 15:2. Calmet.
2 Chronicles
Verse 22. Head. Septuagint “prince.” Bible.—Grotius maintains that Abia was the eldest. But all others are of a contrary opinion, and believe that Roboam derogated from the law, (Deuteronomy 21:16. Calmet.) as David had done, unless it was left to the option of the king to appoint whom he pleased for his successor. Bible.—Meant. Prot. supply, “he thought” which is found in the Sept.
2 Chronicles
Verse 23. Because. Septuagint “And he was magnified above.… and he gave them (cities, αυταις) abundance,” and so forth This may be all understood of Abia. But Hebrew rather speaks of his father: “And he acted wisely, and dispersed all his other children, throughout the countries of Juda;” ( Bible.) keeping them at a distance, to prevent any commotion, ( Calmet.) but making ample provision and procuring wives for them, perhaps at no small cost, as few might wish to be thus prisoners at large. Tirinus.—It was probably then the custom to educate the royal children in the noblest families. See 4 Kennicott. 10:1. Calmet.—This would also tend to increase their father’s influence, and to make them better acquainted with the country, that they might be able to communicate all necessary intelligence. Bible.—Pagnin and Vatable insinuate, that Roboam “caused to be educated and dispersed some of all his children, throughout all the lands of Juda.” Menochius.