2 Chronicles 11 12

2 Chronicles 11:12 kjv

And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

2 Chronicles 11:12 nkjv

Also in every city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

2 Chronicles 11:12 niv

He put shields and spears in all the cities, and made them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his.

2 Chronicles 11:12 esv

And he put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

2 Chronicles 11:12 nlt

He also put shields and spears in these towns as a further safety measure. So only Judah and Benjamin remained under his control.

2 Chronicles 11 verses

2 Chronicles 11 12 Meaning

2 Chronicles 11:12 details King Rehoboam's strategic military fortification efforts immediately following the division of the kingdom of Israel. He systematically equipped every city within the loyal territory of Judah and Benjamin with both defensive shields and offensive spears, greatly strengthening their military capacity. This was undertaken with the full allegiance and unified support of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, forming a robust and consolidated southern kingdom.

2 Chronicles 11 12 Context

The verse is situated in the narrative following the catastrophic division of the kingdom of Israel, prompted by King Rehoboam's harsh policies and the divine decree (2 Chr 10-11). Though Rehoboam initially desired to reclaim the northern tribes by force, God intervened through the prophet Shemaiah, explicitly forbidding war between Judah and Israel (2 Chr 11:1-4). Consequently, Rehoboam pivoted from aggressive warfare to consolidating and strengthening his remaining territory. Chapters 11:5-10 list the specific fifteen strategic cities Rehoboam fortified, which verse 12 summarizes as "every city" where he "put shields and spears." This period also sees a significant influx of priests, Levites, and other devout Israelites from Jeroboam's northern kingdom who chose to align with Rehoboam due to Jeroboam's apostasy (2 Chr 11:13-17). Thus, 2 Chronicles 11:12 describes Rehoboam's pragmatic and robust military preparation for the defense and internal security of his newly diminished kingdom, establishing the foundation of what would become the enduring Southern Kingdom of Judah.

2 Chronicles 11 12 Word analysis

• And in every city:

  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive and systematic nature of Rehoboam's fortification efforts. It implies a widespread and organized military policy rather than isolated strongholds. It connects directly to the preceding list of 15 key fortified cities (2 Chr 11:5-10), demonstrating thorough preparation across his loyal territory.

• he put:

  • Original Language: Hebrew, וַיִּתֵּן (wayyitten), from the verb נָתַן (natan), meaning "to give, to place, to set."
  • Significance: Denotes deliberate, authoritative action. Rehoboam was actively commissioning and deploying these armaments, reflecting his direct involvement and control over the military build-up. It indicates strategic provisioning and organization.

• shields:

  • Original Language: Hebrew, מָגֵן (magen). These were typically larger defensive pieces of equipment, often oblong, covering a significant portion of the body.
  • Significance: Signifies a focus on defense. The provision of shields suggests preparation for siege warfare or repelling direct assaults, emphasizing the protection of the fortified cities and their inhabitants. Shields are essential for absorbing enemy blows and guarding against arrows and spears.

• and spears:

  • Original Language: Hebrew, וַחֲנִית (wa-ḥanit). These were longer offensive weapons, primarily used for thrusting or throwing.
  • Significance: Represents offensive capability. The presence of spears alongside shields indicates that Rehoboam was preparing his forces not just to defend passively but also to engage the enemy actively, whether in skirmishes, sorties from the cities, or open combat. It projects readiness for a multifaceted military engagement.

• and made them exceeding strong:

  • Original Language: Hebrew, וַיְחַזְּקֵם לָרֹב (wa-y'ḥazz'qēm lā-rōḇ).
    • וַיְחַזְּקֵם (wa-y'ḥazz'qēm) from the verb חָזַק (ḥazaq), meaning "to be strong, firm, hard; to strengthen, reinforce."
    • לָרֹב (lā-rōḇ): "in abundance," "greatly," "exceedingly."
  • Significance: This phrase underscores the massive scale and intensity of Rehoboam's efforts. It implies not just superficial strengthening but a comprehensive, well-resourced fortification and equipping of these cities. It highlights a significant military investment and determination to ensure the resilience and impregnability of his kingdom's defenses.

• having Judah and Benjamin on his side:

  • Original Language: Hebrew, וַיְהִי לוֹ יְהוּדָה וּבִנְיָמִין (wa-yhi lo yehuda uvinaymin), literally "and Judah and Benjamin were to him."
  • Significance: This phrase is crucial as it points to the political and demographic reality of Rehoboam's kingdom. It emphasizes the unwavering loyalty and solidarity of these two tribes. Their allegiance provided the core human and territorial foundation for the Southern Kingdom, making it a cohesive entity despite its reduced size. This unity was critical for the internal stability necessary for such extensive fortification projects to succeed and for the continued existence of the Davidic dynasty.

2 Chronicles 11 12 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's primary purpose in detailing Rehoboam's fortifications is not merely historical, but theological. It underscores how the Davidic kingdom, despite being fractured, was divinely preserved and strengthened in its core—Judah and Benjamin—thereby ensuring the continuity of the covenant line through which the Messiah would eventually come.
• This period of consolidation was likely also supported by the influx of faithful priests, Levites, and other Israelites who migrated from Jeroboam's idolatrous northern kingdom, bringing both spiritual and physical strength to Judah (2 Chr 11:13-17). Their presence would have bolstered the resolve and loyalty within the fortified cities.
• While Rehoboam employed human means (military strength) for security, the underlying message within the Chronicler's work often implies that true security ultimately rested on faithfulness to God. However, in this immediate context, Rehoboam's strategic actions are portrayed as prudent and necessary in a turbulent political landscape.

2 Chronicles 11 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 11:12 presents a clear picture of King Rehoboam's strategic wisdom in response to the political crisis of the kingdom's division. Having been divinely restrained from attempting to forcibly reclaim the northern tribes, he channeled his energy into strengthening his existing realm. His comprehensive program of fortifying every city and equipping them heavily with both defensive shields and offensive spears indicates a highly organized and resolute leader preparing for long-term security. The military readiness described here was not a haphazard effort but a deliberate and massive investment. Crucially, the verse highlights the united front of Judah and Benjamin, affirming their steadfast allegiance to Rehoboam and the Davidic line. This unified support provided the essential demographic and territorial base that allowed the Southern Kingdom to consolidate its power and survive, even as the northern kingdom descended into instability. While Rehoboam's later spiritual failures are noted elsewhere, this particular passage shows a period of effective temporal leadership focused on the security and continuity of his inherited domain.