2 Chronicles 11 9

2 Chronicles 11:9 kjv

And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,

2 Chronicles 11:9 nkjv

Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

2 Chronicles 11:9 niv

Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

2 Chronicles 11:9 esv

Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

2 Chronicles 11:9 nlt

Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,

2 Chronicles 11 verses

2 Chronicles 11 9 Meaning

2 Chronicles 11:9 lists three cities: Adoraim, Lachish, and Azekah, which King Rehoboam fortified during his reign in Judah. This verse is part of a longer enumeration of fifteen strategically important cities that Rehoboam strengthened after the division of the Israelite kingdom. These fortifications served to protect the newly solidified kingdom of Judah from external threats and to consolidate his control.

2 Chronicles 11 9 Context

Following the traumatic division of the kingdom, Rehoboam initially pursued God's counsel through the prophet Shemaiah, refraining from fighting against the ten northern tribes. Instead, he wisely focused on consolidating his control over Judah and Benjamin. 2 Chronicles 11 details how he strategically fortified fifteen cities throughout his territory. These cities were strategically located to protect Judah's borders, especially the vulnerable western plain (the Shephelah) which faced the Philistines, and to control key trade routes and access points into the Judean highlands. The strengthening of these cities, alongside his appointment of commanders and the relocation of priests and Levites (who sided with Judah due to Jeroboam's idolatry), demonstrated Rehoboam's efforts to establish a secure and religiously focused kingdom in Judah during this early period of his reign.

2 Chronicles 11 9 Word analysis

• and: (Hebrew: וְ - ve) Functions as a simple conjunction, continuing the preceding list of cities (Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam in verse 7; Gath, Mareshah, Ziph in verse 8), emphasizing that these three cities are part of the same strategic building program.
• Adoraim: (Hebrew: אֲדֹרַיִם - ʾĂdorayim) A city in the Shephelah of Judah, located south-west of Hebron. While less frequently mentioned in the Bible compared to Lachish or Azekah, its inclusion here signifies its strategic importance within Rehoboam's defensive network, likely protecting routes into the central Judean hill country from the south. Archaeological identification is often linked to modern Dura.
• and: (Hebrew: וְ - ve) Again, a connective, continuing the listing.
• Lachish: (Hebrew: לָכִישׁ - Lāḵîš) One of the most significant and powerfully fortified cities in ancient Judah, often considered second only to Jerusalem in strategic importance. It controlled crucial routes leading from the coastal plain into the Judean highlands. Its fortification by Rehoboam was vital for Judah's defense against potential incursions from Philistia or Egypt. Lachish played a major role in later Judean history, most notably during the Assyrian invasion of Sennacherib (2 Ki 18:13-17; Isa 36:1-2) and the Babylonian siege (Jer 34:7). Extensive archaeological excavations have revealed massive fortifications and evidence supporting its biblical descriptions.
• and: (Hebrew: וְ - ve) Another connector, linking the last city in this specific enumeration within the longer list.
• Azekah: (Hebrew: עֲזֵקָה - ʿǍzēqāh) A prominent fortified city located in the Shephelah, in close proximity to Lachish and controlling the strategically vital Valley of Elah (known from 1 Sam 17 as the site of David and Goliath's battle). Like Lachish, Azekah served as a critical watchpoint and defensive stronghold for Jerusalem's western approaches. Its repeated mention alongside Lachish in accounts of foreign invasions (e.g., Sennacherib, Babylonians) underscores its lasting strategic significance in Judah's defense.

Words-group analysis:

• and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah: This phrasing clearly demonstrates the ongoing enumeration of fortified cities. The repeated "and" emphasizes the extent of Rehoboam's building program and highlights the deliberate, widespread nature of his defense strategy. These specific cities, along with those previously listed, form a crucial defensive belt in Judah, especially across the vulnerable Shephelah region, acting as a buffer against coastal threats. This detailed list reflects the chronicler's interest in the administrative and military actions of the kings, showing how the survival of the Davidic line and the remnant of Israel (Judah and Benjamin) was secured even amidst political fragmentation.

2 Chronicles 11 9 Bonus section

The cities listed in 2 Chronicles 11, particularly Adoraim, Lachish, and Azekah, are concentrated primarily in the Shephelah (the low-lying hills between the coastal plain and the central Judean highlands). This region was historically vulnerable to invasion and served as the primary battleground between Judah and its western neighbors, especially the Philistines. By fortifying these specific cities, Rehoboam effectively established an outer defense line to protect Jerusalem and the central highlands. Archaeological evidence from sites like Lachish has corroborated the biblical account of significant fortifications from various periods, including the Early Iron Age (Rehoboam's time), illustrating the continuous strategic importance of these locations. The chronicler's detailed enumeration here may also subtly underscore God's provision for the survival of the Davidic dynasty and the faithful remnant through strategic foresight during a period of national crisis.

2 Chronicles 11 9 Commentary

2 Chronicles 11:9 is a specific instance within the chronicler's broader account of Rehoboam's strategic efforts to secure the newly consolidated kingdom of Judah. By meticulously listing cities like Adoraim, Lachish, and Azekah—all key strongholds in the vital Shephelah region—the narrative underscores Rehoboam's practical wisdom in strengthening his realm militarily. These cities were not merely provincial towns but strategic outposts, commanding key roads and valleys that led into the heart of Judah. Fortifying them created a formidable defensive belt against potential aggression from Philistia to the west, Egypt to the south, and any possible incursion from the northern kingdom of Israel. While these fortifications represent a necessary human endeavor for national security, the larger theological theme in Chronicles often posits that true security ultimately rested on the nation's faithfulness to God. Rehoboam's initial period of prudence and fortification would eventually be tested by his later apostasy, demonstrating that physical defenses alone cannot safeguard a people when their covenant with the Lord is broken.