2 Chronicles 11 5

2 Chronicles 11:5 kjv

And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.

2 Chronicles 11:5 nkjv

So Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.

2 Chronicles 11:5 niv

Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up towns for defense in Judah:

2 Chronicles 11:5 esv

Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built cities for defense in Judah.

2 Chronicles 11:5 nlt

Rehoboam remained in Jerusalem and fortified various towns for the defense of Judah.

2 Chronicles 11 verses

2 Chronicles 11 5 Meaning

Following the political and spiritual division of the kingdom, Rehoboam settled in Jerusalem, which remained the capital of his reduced southern kingdom of Judah. His immediate strategic response was to fortify cities throughout Judah, establishing a defensive infrastructure against potential internal or external threats, ensuring the security and stability of his remaining dominion.

2 Chronicles 11 5 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 11 opens immediately after the catastrophic division of the unified kingdom of Israel. Rehoboam, Solomon's son, had unwisely alienated the ten northern tribes, leading them to declare independence under Jeroboam. Rehoboam's initial response was to gather a large army to fight against Israel and reclaim his dominion. However, the prophet Shemaiah delivered a divine message, commanding Rehoboam and his forces not to go to war, for the split was from the Lord (2 Chr 11:1-4). This verse (2 Chr 11:5) details Rehoboam's pivot after this divine intervention. Having been restrained from offensive action, he turned his focus to consolidating and protecting what remained of his kingdom, the territory of Judah, and later, Benjamin. It signifies a strategic shift from aggressive retaliation to defensive fortification, highlighting his efforts to secure the integrity of the southern kingdom.

2 Chronicles 11 5 Word analysis

• Rehoboam (רְחַבְעָם, Reḥaḇʿām): Son of Solomon, who ascended to the throne of a united Israel but quickly lost ten tribes due to his arrogant response to the people's request for lighter burdens. His actions, though divinely ordained for the split (2 Chr 10:15), illustrate the consequence of leadership without wisdom. Here, he demonstrates a degree of pragmatism in defense.
• dwelt (וַיֵּשֶׁב, wayyêsheḇ): From the root יָשַׁב (yashav), meaning "to sit," "to settle," "to dwell." It implies establishing a permanent residence and signifies Rehoboam's decision to firmly establish his court and administrative center in Jerusalem after the immediate crisis of the kingdom's division and the averted civil war. This contrasts with previous king's movements for battles.
• in Jerusalem: The divinely chosen capital, seat of the Davidic dynasty, and location of the Temple. Its significance extended beyond a political center, serving as the spiritual heart of the remnant kingdom. Settling there solidified its role as Judah's unshakeable center.
• and built (וַיִּבֶן, wayyiḇen): From the root בָּנָה (banah), "to build." This term indicates deliberate, large-scale construction efforts, highlighting an active and strategic king. The building implies a significant allocation of resources and labor, reflecting the urgency and importance of strengthening defenses.
• cities for defense (עָרִים לְמָצוֹר, ʿārîm lᵊmāṣôr): Literally "cities for fortress" or "fortified cities."
  • cities (עָרִים, ʿārîm): Plural of עִיר (ʿîr), referring to towns or cities, indicating a widespread project, not just a single location.
  • for defense (לְמָצוֹר, lᵊmāṣôr): From the root צוּר (tsur), meaning "to bind," "to besiege," hence "fortress," "stronghold," or "siege work." These were not merely residential areas but strategically designed fortifications intended to withstand sieges and provide refuge or a base for military operations. They would include walls, towers, gates, and possibly water systems, acting as deterrents and points of resistance.
• in Judah: Specifies the territory over which Rehoboam now had unchallenged, though reduced, authority. This phrase delimits his effective domain and indicates his efforts were concentrated within the legitimate boundaries of his kingdom. It highlights the distinction from the newly formed kingdom of Israel to the north.

2 Chronicles 11 5 Bonus section

• The extensive building program undertaken by Rehoboam in 2 Chronicles 11:6-10, listing fifteen specific cities, underscores the scale and seriousness of his defensive preparations. This immediate, comprehensive action suggests a king learning from his mistakes and seeking to secure his domain.
• The placement of these fortified cities indicates strategic foresight, protecting Jerusalem, securing major roads, and forming a defense perimeter against the northern kingdom of Israel and coastal attacks. These locations would become crucial in future conflicts.
• This period of consolidation and fortification, enabled by divine command (2 Chr 11:4) which prevented him from wasting resources on civil war, ironically provided the initial stability for the Davidic line to continue. Despite Rehoboam's personal failings, God preserved Judah through these practical measures.
• The fortified cities also served as places for religious adherence, as priests and Levites who opposed Jeroboam's idolatry in the north migrated to Judah and strengthened Rehoboam (2 Chr 11:13-16), finding refuge in these established centers. This further layered significance onto the built defenses, making them hubs for both physical and spiritual preservation.

2 Chronicles 11 5 Commentary

2 Chronicles 11:5 presents a crucial shift in Rehoboam's character and reign following his disastrous initial misjudgment and the subsequent divine intervention that prevented civil war. Confined to his legitimate realm by God's decree, Rehoboam pivots from aggression to defensive statecraft. His decision to dwell in Jerusalem reaffirmed it as the enduring capital of the Davidic line, cementing its political and spiritual identity against the backdrop of a divided kingdom. The immediate construction of fortified cities demonstrates a practical and prudent response to the new political landscape. These "cities for defense" were not merely settlements but strategic strongholds, designed to protect trade routes, deter invasion from the new northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, and provide security against other potential threats. This defensive building program, extensive in its scope throughout Judah, highlights Rehoboam's practical ability to govern even if his spiritual leadership often faltered. It signifies his recognition of vulnerability and a proactive effort to consolidate and protect the remnant kingdom that remained under his rule. While he did not fully trust God later in his reign (leading to the invasion of Shishak, 2 Chr 12), this initial defensive building was a sensible act, securing the physical foundation for the future of the Davidic monarchy in Judah.