2 Chronicles 11:16 kjv
And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 11:16 nkjv
And after the Levites left, those from all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the LORD God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 11:16 niv
Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 11:16 esv
And those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 11:16 nlt
From all the tribes of Israel, those who sincerely wanted to worship the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem, where they could offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 11 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 12:28-31 | So the king took counsel... two calves of gold... | Jeroboam's illegitimate altars and priesthood |
| 2 Chr 11:13-15 | And the priests and the Levites... Jeroboam and his sons had cast them out. | Levites and priests exiled by Jeroboam |
| Dt 12:5-6 | But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose... thither thou shalt bring your burnt offerings. | Command to worship at God's chosen place |
| Dt 4:29 | But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him... | Promise to those who seek the Lord |
| Jer 29:13 | And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. | Heartfelt seeking of God |
| Ps 105:4 | Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. | Continual seeking of God |
| 1 Chr 29:9 | ...for with a perfect heart they offered willingly... | Giving with a sincere heart |
| 2 Chr 12:14 | And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. | Contrast: Rehoboam did not seek the Lord |
| 2 Chr 19:3 | Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves... and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. | Jehoshaphat prepared his heart to seek God |
| 2 Chr 20:3-4 | And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord... | Jehoshaphat leading the nation to seek God |
| 2 Chr 30:18-19 | For a multitude... had not cleansed themselves, yet did eat the passover... For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God... | Seeking God from the heart overcomes uncleanness |
| 2 Chr 34:3 | For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father... | Josiah's early heart to seek God |
| Ps 119:2 | Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. | Blessedness of wholehearted seeking |
| Isa 55:6 | Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. | Call to seek the Lord now |
| Amos 5:4 | For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live. | Seeking God leads to life |
| Zep 2:3 | Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness... | Universal call to seek God and His ways |
| 2 Cor 6:17-18 | Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord... | Call to separation from ungodliness |
| Jn 4:23-24 | But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth... | True worship is internal and spiritual |
| Heb 11:6 | But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. | Faith required for seeking God |
| Rev 14:6-7 | ...Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven... | Call to true worship in the end times |
| Rom 9:27 | Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: | Principle of the remnant |
| Rom 11:5 | Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. | Remnant by God's grace |
| 1 Kgs 19:18 | Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal... | God preserves a faithful remnant |
| 2 Chr 15:2 | ...The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. | Consequence of seeking or forsaking God |
2 Chronicles 11 verses
2 Chronicles 11 16 Meaning
This verse describes a movement of faithful individuals from all the tribes of Israel, including those who were now part of the northern kingdom, who committed themselves wholeheartedly to seeking the Lord, the God of Israel. They left their homes and journeyed to Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom of Judah to offer sacrifices to the Lord God, following the covenant stipulations, distinguishing themselves from the apostate worship established by King Jeroboam in the north.
2 Chronicles 11 16 Context
Following the division of the kingdom, Rehoboam fortified the cities of Judah and Benjamin, strengthening his dominion. However, the schism extended beyond political boundaries; King Jeroboam of the Northern Kingdom deliberately instituted idolatrous worship in Dan and Bethel to prevent his subjects from going to Jerusalem for the prescribed feasts and potentially shifting their loyalty back to the Davidic dynasty. This act led to the expulsion of the Levitical priests and true worshippers from Jeroboam's domain. In direct response, 2 Chronicles 11:16 records a counter-movement: a pilgrimage of devout Israelites from all ten northern tribes to Jerusalem, demonstrating their unwavering allegiance to the covenant God and His prescribed worship. This influx of faithful individuals and the Levites significantly strengthened Judah (2 Chr 11:17) both numerically and spiritually during the early years of Rehoboam's reign, when he walked in the ways of David and Solomon.
2 Chronicles 11 16 Word analysis
- And after them: Hebrew: וְאַחֲרֵיהֶם (vᵉ’akhareyhem). This refers to the Levites and priests mentioned in the preceding verses (2 Chr 11:13-15) who were expelled by Jeroboam from the Northern Kingdom due to their refusal to participate in the idolatrous worship. It emphasizes that this movement of faithful Israelites followed the example and conviction of the exiled religious leaders.
- out of all the tribes of Israel: Hebrew: מִכָּל־שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (mikkol-shivṭei Yiśra’el). This signifies individuals from the northern ten tribes that had separated from Judah. It indicates that genuine faith in the Lord transcended political boundaries and highlights that not everyone in the north conformed to Jeroboam's apostasy. This group represents a faithful remnant.
- such as set their hearts: Hebrew: הַנֹּתְנִים אֶת־לִבָּם (hannoṯenim ’et-libbam). This phrase literally means "who were giving their heart" or "who applied their heart." It signifies a deliberate, determined, and inward spiritual commitment, purpose, or resolution. It contrasts with outward conformity or ritualism without sincere devotion. Their decision was deeply personal and convicted. This active choice of the will implies a steadfastness and loyalty to the Lord amidst immense pressure to conform to the false worship of the state.
- to seek the Lord God of Israel: Hebrew: לְדָרַשׁ אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (lᵉḏārash ’et-YHWH ’Elohei Yiśra’el). "Seek" (דָרַשׁ, darash) means to inquire of, to apply oneself to, to consult, to search diligently for, or to earnestly desire. This goes beyond mere ritual; it indicates a deep longing for communion with and understanding of the true God. "The Lord God of Israel" specifies the unique covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, differentiating Him from pagan deities and reinforcing their commitment to exclusive monotheism prescribed in the Torah.
- came to Jerusalem: Hebrew: בָּאוּ יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (ba'u Yᵉrushalayim). Jerusalem was God's chosen place for His name to dwell and where sacrifices were legitimately to be offered (Dt 12). Their journey to Jerusalem was an act of obedience, signifying their rejection of the idolatrous worship centers established by Jeroboam in Dan and Bethel, and their adherence to the divine command concerning the place of worship. It was a perilous journey, indicating great faith and courage.
- to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers: Hebrew: לִזְבֹּחַ לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם (lizboakh laYᵉhovah ’Elohei ’avoṭehem). This denotes performing the commanded offerings and worship according to the Law, upholding the legitimate cult in Jerusalem. "God of their fathers" links their faith to the patriarchs and the historical covenant with Israel, grounding their present worship in their rich spiritual heritage and tradition. It stands as a polemic against the "gods" Jeroboam had introduced (1 Kgs 12:28).
- "And after them, out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts": This entire phrase describes the demographic and motivation of this significant spiritual migration. It highlights that the spiritual loyalty to God extended beyond Judah, representing a "remnant" from across all Israel who consciously chose divine fidelity over political convenience or popular apostasy. The internal decision ("set their hearts") underscores the depth of their commitment.
- "to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem to sacrifice": This describes the spiritual journey and destination driven by divine mandate. Seeking the Lord inherently leads to worship at His appointed place and in His appointed way, emphasizing a unity of spiritual desire and prescribed action. Their actions demonstrated both personal devotion and corporate obedience to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 11 16 Bonus section
The chronicler emphasizes this movement of faithful Israelites to Jerusalem to show the strengthening of Rehoboam's kingdom (2 Chr 11:17) not just politically, but spiritually and demographically. This voluntary exodus brought additional people, resources, and spiritual zeal to Judah. The Chronicler's perspective highlights God's sovereignty in preserving a faithful remnant and their pivotal role in upholding true worship, contrasting Judah's relative strength with the swift decline of the Northern Kingdom due to its continued idolatry. This transfer of pious individuals also reflects God's continuing care for those who sincerely desire Him, regardless of their geopolitical circumstances.
2 Chronicles 11 16 Commentary
2 Chronicles 11:16 beautifully illustrates a profound act of faithfulness amidst national spiritual declension. As Jeroboam sought to consolidate his power through religious innovation, creating convenient, albeit idolatrous, worship alternatives, a segment of the Northern Kingdom responded with unwavering loyalty to the true God. These were not compelled by law or earthly decree, but "set their hearts" with a deliberate and profound commitment to seek the Lord. This heartfelt intention drove them to Jerusalem, the divinely appointed center of worship, to participate in legitimate sacrifices, directly challenging the false system prevalent in their homeland. Their journey represented a spiritual migration, affirming that true worship of God required obedience to His commands regarding both the object and method of worship. It underscores the ongoing reality of a faithful remnant even in times of widespread apostasy, and how their steadfast devotion bolstered the Southern Kingdom of Judah, making it a stronger beacon of covenant fidelity.