2 Chronicles 11:10 kjv
And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
2 Chronicles 11:10 nkjv
Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and Benjamin, fortified cities.
2 Chronicles 11:10 niv
Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron. These were fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.
2 Chronicles 11:10 esv
Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, fortified cities that are in Judah and in Benjamin.
2 Chronicles 11:10 nlt
Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These became the fortified towns of Judah and Benjamin.
2 Chronicles 11 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 11:29-39 | ...ten tribes for you; but he shall have one tribe... that My servant David may always have a lamp. | Prophecy of kingdom division, reserving Judah for David's line. |
| 1 Kgs 12:1-20 | ...Jeroboam and all Israel came to Rehoboam and said... So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day. | Account of the kingdom's division due to Rehoboam's harshness. |
| 2 Chr 10:1-19 | Rehoboam went to Shechem... But the king did not listen to the people... So all Israel rebelled. | Parallel account of the kingdom's division in Chronicles. |
| 2 Chr 11:1 | ...Rehoboam assembled out of all Israel a hundred and eighty thousand chosen warriors... | Rehoboam's initial attempt to reclaim Israel, thwarted by God. |
| 2 Chr 11:3 | "Thus says the Lord: You shall not go up or fight against your brothers..." | God's direct command for Rehoboam to cease war against Israel. |
| 2 Chr 11:5-9 | Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah: Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa... | Listing of the fortified cities in Judah, establishing context for v. 10. |
| 2 Chr 11:12 | ...he put shields and spears in every city and put them in strongholds, and took great care of them. | Confirmation of weapons and supplies in the fortresses, reiterating v. 10. |
| 2 Chr 12:9-10 | Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord... and took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made. | Later loss of defenses due to invasion, contrasting initial strength. |
| 1 Kgs 15:22 | Then King Asa made a proclamation... They carried away the stones and timbers of Ramah... | Example of another king strengthening his borders/cities. |
| 2 Chr 8:3-6 | ...Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and captured it... He built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the storage cities... | Solomon's prior example of fortifying strategic locations. |
| Neh 3:1 | Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate... | Rebuilding city defenses post-exile, highlighting the importance of walls. |
| Jer 4:5 | Declare in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem: "Blow the trumpet in the land! Cry aloud and say: 'Assemble and let us go into the fortified cities!'" | Calls to seek refuge in fortified cities during invasion. |
| Deut 20:19-20 | "When you besiege a city for a long time... you shall not destroy its trees..." | Laws pertaining to siege warfare, showing cities as military targets. |
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. | Contrasts reliance on military might with trust in God, relevant for Rehoboam's practical defense within God's will. |
| Ps 33:16-17 | The king is not saved by his great army... The war horse is a false hope for salvation... | Further emphasis that ultimate salvation is from God, not military might alone. |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots... | Warning against misplaced trust in foreign military power instead of God. |
| Rom 13:4 | For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. | Government's responsibility for defense and maintaining order through force. |
| Lk 14:31 | "Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able..." | Illustrates the wisdom of military planning and assessment of resources before engaging in conflict. |
| Gen 10:11 | From that land he went forth into Assyria and built Nineveh... | Examples of cities being built for strength and dominion. |
| Prov 21:22 | A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the strength of its stronghold. | Recognition of fortified cities as places of great strength. |
| Josh 14:12 | Now therefore, give me this mountain country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard... | Request for territory containing strong, fortified cities (Anakim's). |
2 Chronicles 11 verses
2 Chronicles 11 10 Meaning
2 Chronicles 11:10 states that King Rehoboam placed "great shields and spears in every city," specifically referring to the cities he fortified in Judah and Benjamin as detailed in the preceding verses. This act of military provisioning was to strengthen these cities "exceedingly," meaning he extensively equipped and fortified them. The verse concludes by emphasizing that only "Judah and Benjamin belonged to him," reaffirming the reduced scope of his kingdom following the secession of the ten northern tribes.
2 Chronicles 11 10 Context
The verse 2 Chronicles 11:10 is situated immediately after the dramatic split of the united monarchy of Israel, following King Solomon's death and Rehoboam's failure to heed the people's plea for lighter taxation (2 Chr 10). When Rehoboam initially planned to go to war to reclaim the ten northern tribes, he was explicitly commanded by God through the prophet Shemaiah not to fight (2 Chr 11:1-4). Obeying this divine injunction, Rehoboam shifted his strategy from aggression to defense. Verses 5-9 list the specific cities he fortified throughout his remaining kingdom of Judah and Benjamin. Therefore, 2 Chronicles 11:10 directly describes the implementation of this defensive strategy, indicating that these fortified cities were heavily armed and provisioned. This period represents Rehoboam's early reign, characterized by pragmatic efforts to secure his kingdom, contrasted with later failures.
2 Chronicles 11 10 Word analysis
- And great shields and spears:
וּמָגִנּוֹת גְּדֹלוֹת וּרְמָחִים(u-maginot gedolot u-remahim).מָגִן(magēn): "shield," typically a smaller, hand-held shield. However, withגְדֹלוֹת(gedolot), "great" or "large," it implies substantial, perhaps body-length, shields used by infantry in formation for defense, such as a large breastplate or full-body shield. These were crucial defensive equipment for the military, capable of providing cover.רֹמַח(rōmach): "spear" or "lance." An offensive weapon used for thrusting or throwing, vital for close-quarters combat or breaking enemy lines. The mention of both offensive (spears) and defensive (shields) armaments indicates a comprehensive military preparedness for engagement.
- in every city: This refers to each of the fifteen cities explicitly named in 2 Chronicles 11:5-9. The distribution of armaments across multiple strongholds implies a decentralized but comprehensive defense network rather than concentrating all might in Jerusalem, providing a buffer and quick response capability.
- and he strengthened them exceedingly:
וַיְחַזְּקֵם לָרֹב מְאֹד(vayəḥazzeqēm larōv meʾōd).וַיְחַזְּקֵם(vayəḥazzeqēm) from the rootחָזַק(ḥāzaq): "to be strong," "to strengthen," "to fortify." This active verb shows Rehoboam's direct and vigorous efforts.לָרֹב מְאֹד(larōv meʾōd): "greatly," "exceedingly," "abundantly," "very much." This intensifiesstrengthened, signifying a thorough and lavish investment in the military infrastructure and armaments of these cities. It emphasizes the scale and completeness of his fortification program.
- and Judah and Benjamin belonged to him:
וַיְהִי לוֹ לִיהוּדָה וּלְבִנְיָמִן(vayehi lo liYahudah uleBenjamin). This phrase defines the extent of Rehoboam's legitimate rule. After the ten tribes seceded, only Judah and the tribe of Benjamin (which bordered Jerusalem and held a significant loyalist population) remained faithful to the Davidic monarchy. This boundary was a direct result of God's sovereign act (1 Kgs 11:36, 2 Chr 11:4) and shaped the identity and history of the southern kingdom, often simply referred to as "Judah." This part of the verse marks the territorial limitation and highlights the distinct identity of the remaining loyal kingdom.
2 Chronicles 11 10 Bonus section
The phrase "Judah and Benjamin belonged to him" signifies more than mere territory; it represents the two tribes that housed Jerusalem and the Temple, thus preserving the center of Yahwistic worship. The subsequent arrival of the priests and Levites from the northern kingdom (2 Chr 11:13-17), who settled in Judah and Benjamin, further strengthened the Southern Kingdom, both numerically and spiritually. This flow of devout individuals fleeing Jeroboam's apostasy ensured that the true worship of God continued unhindered, a core interest of the Chronicler. Rehoboam's practical defense efforts combined with the spiritual infusion from the Levites positioned the nascent Southern Kingdom for a period of stability, contrasting sharply with the early instability and idolatry of the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam. Thus, Rehoboam's military readiness provided a secure environment not just for his subjects but also for the perpetuation of the Lord's covenant and worship.
2 Chronicles 11 10 Commentary
2 Chronicles 11:10 portrays Rehoboam's prudent response to a crisis, a testament to practical leadership following divine guidance. After being restrained from war by God's prophet, he redirected his energies from an ill-conceived offense to a wise defense. His extensive fortification and arming of key cities demonstrate foresight and responsibility in protecting the remaining portion of his kingdom. This security measure was vital for the stability of Judah and Benjamin, which represented the true Davidic line and the continued worship in Jerusalem, providing a haven for those loyal to the Lord, including the priests and Levites fleeing Jeroboam's idolatry (2 Chr 11:13-17). The verse implicitly validates Rehoboam's administrative wisdom in building a strong foundation for the survival of the Davidic dynasty and true worship, despite the overall failings of his reign. This emphasis on securing what remained highlights a theme in Chronicles: the legitimacy and preservation of the Southern Kingdom as the rightful inheritors of God's covenant promises to David.