2 Chronicles 12:13
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֞ק
strengthened
H2388
וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֞ק
strengthened
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
1 of 32
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
himself in Jerusalem
H3389
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
himself in Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
4 of 32
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
H4427
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
5 of 32
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בֶן
old
H1121
בֶן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 32
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְאַחַ֣ת
was one
H259
וְאַחַ֣ת
was one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
9 of 32
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
H4427
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
12 of 32
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
וּֽשֲׁבַ֨ע
seventeen
H7651
וּֽשֲׁבַ֨ע
seventeen
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
13 of 32
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
14 of 32
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
H4427
מָלַ֣ךְ
and he reigned
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
16 of 32
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
himself in Jerusalem
H3389
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
himself in Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
17 of 32
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
הָ֠עִיר
the city
H5892
הָ֠עִיר
the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
18 of 32
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֜ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָשׂ֨וּם
to put
H7760
לָשׂ֨וּם
to put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
22 of 32
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְשֵׁ֣ם
his name
H8034
וְשֵׁ֣ם
his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
24 of 32
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁם֙
H8033
מִכֹּל֙
H3605
מִכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
26 of 32
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
out of all the tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
out of all the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
27 of 32
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
28 of 32
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְשֵׁ֣ם
his name
H8034
וְשֵׁ֣ם
his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
29 of 32
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אִמּ֔וֹ
there And his mother's
H517
אִמּ֔וֹ
there And his mother's
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
30 of 32
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
Cross References
1 Kings 14:21And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.Deuteronomy 12:5But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:2 Chronicles 6:6But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.Nehemiah 13:1On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;Nehemiah 13:26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.Exodus 20:24An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.Deuteronomy 23:3An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:Deuteronomy 12:11Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:Ezekiel 48:35It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.1 Kings 11:1But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
Historical Context
This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.
The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.
Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
- What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
- How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?
Analysis & Commentary
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Divine discipline for unfaithfulness, mercy through humility. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.
The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.
Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.