2 Chronicles 12 15

2 Chronicles 12:15 kjv

Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

2 Chronicles 12:15 nkjv

The acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.

2 Chronicles 12:15 niv

As for the events of Rehoboam's reign, from beginning to end, are they not written in the records of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer that deal with genealogies? There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 12:15 esv

Now the acts of Rehoboam, from first to last, are they not written in the chronicles of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer? There were continual wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 12:15 nlt

The rest of the events of Rehoboam's reign, from beginning to end, are recorded in The Record of Shemaiah the Prophet and The Record of Iddo the Seer, which are part of the genealogical record. Rehoboam and Jeroboam were continually at war with each other.

2 Chronicles 12 verses

2 Chronicles 12 15 Meaning

This verse concludes the Chronicler's narrative of King Rehoboam's reign, referring the reader to other contemporary historical accounts for a fuller record of his deeds "first and last." It specifically names the written works of the prophet Shemaiah and the seer Iddo, noting that Iddo's records also included genealogical details. The verse then pointedly states the reality of continuous warfare between Rehoboam, King of Judah, and Jeroboam, King of Israel, throughout their concurrent reigns, highlighting the ongoing consequences of the kingdom's division.

2 Chronicles 12 15 Context

This verse serves as a concluding summary for the Chronicler's detailed account of King Rehoboam's reign (2 Chronicles 10-12). It immediately follows the narrative of Rehoboam's humbling before the Lord during Shishak's invasion and the subsequent reprieve granted by God, juxtaposed with Rehoboam's eventual decline. Within the broader narrative of Chronicles, it underscores the author's meticulous use of source materials, many of which were written by divinely appointed prophets and seers. Historically, this period marks the critical rupture of the United Kingdom under David and Solomon into two distinct entities: the Northern Kingdom of Israel (under Jeroboam) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (under Rehoboam). The verse highlights the tragic consequence of this division – a persistent state of warfare – reflecting the deep spiritual and political schism.

2 Chronicles 12 15 Word analysis

• Now the acts: Refers to all the events, decisions, and overall conduct that characterized Rehoboam's period as king.
• first and last: (Hebrew: rî'šôn wᵉ'aḥarôn) This is a summarizing idiomatic phrase meaning "from beginning to end," or "all his deeds, great and small." It indicates a comprehensive account of his entire reign, not just selected highlights, validating the thoroughness of the cited sources.
• are they not written: (Hebrew: hălō' hēm kᵉtûbîm) This is a rhetorical question, affirming that the complete record exists in specified external documents. It serves to authenticate the Chronicler's narrative by appealing to established historical and prophetic archives known to the original audience, assuring them of the verifiable nature of the account.
• book of Shemaiah the prophet: Shemaiah (Hebrew: שְׁמַעְיָהוּ - Shema'yah), meaning "heard of Yahweh." He was a prophet of God during Rehoboam's reign, prominently appearing in 2 Chr 11:2-4 where he prevented Rehoboam from attacking Jeroboam, and in 2 Chr 12:5-7 where he conveyed God's message regarding Shishak's invasion. His "book" signifies a formal written account of his prophetic ministry and the historical events connected to it. This indicates the intertwining of divine revelation and historical record.
• and of Iddo the seer: Iddo (Hebrew: עִדּוֹ - Iddō), likely meaning "timely" or "his power/witness." A "seer" (Hebrew: חֹזֶה - chozeh) is a type of prophet, often emphasizing visual or intuitive divine insight. Iddo is also mentioned as a source for King Solomon (2 Chr 9:29) and King Abijah (2 Chr 13:22). His continued presence as a chronicler highlights the enduring role of seers across different reigns in documenting Israelite history from a spiritual perspective.
• concerning genealogies: (Hebrew: הַתְּיַחְשִׁים - hat-tiyyaḥăšîm). This translates to "the genealogies" or "the registers/commentaries." In ancient Israel, genealogical records were often far more than simple family trees. They incorporated historical notes, administrative details, land ownership, and even moral character or tribal identity. For the Chronicler, lineage and proper Israelite identity were crucial, suggesting that Iddo's work might have provided context for the legitimacy of rulers or tribes.
• And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually: (Hebrew: וְהַמִּלְחָמוֹת... כָּל־הַיָּמִים - wᵉhammilḥamôt... kol-hayyāmîm). "Continually" literally means "all the days." This statement emphasizes the persistent and unrelenting nature of the conflict between the two kingdoms throughout Rehoboam and Jeroboam's parallel reigns. It signifies not just occasional skirmishes but a sustained state of animosity and division, a tragic outcome of their disunity and departure from God's singular kingdom. This strife underscores the instability and lack of true peace due to spiritual fragmentation.

2 Chronicles 12 15 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's methodology, particularly his frequent citation of specific books and prophets (e.g., Book of Kings of Judah and Israel, histories by Nathan, Gad, Iddo, Isaiah), serves to provide verifiable foundations for his narratives, affirming the reliability and historicity of God's interaction with His people.
• The contrast between the "first and last" summaries for kings in Chronicles (signifying completeness) and the tragic reality of "continual war" highlights that a full record of reign doesn't always equate to a good reign. Even fully documented history can detail persistent failure.
• The role of prophets and seers as official court chroniclers or historians (as seen with Samuel, Nathan, Gad, Shemaiah, and Iddo) underscores the integrated nature of spiritual insight and historical documentation in ancient Israel, where divine guidance was central to understanding national events.

2 Chronicles 12 15 Commentary

This verse functions as a concluding doxology for Rehoboam's reign, yet it provides far more than a mere end note. The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic audience, emphasizes the divine authenticity of his historical account by citing prophetic sources like Shemaiah and Iddo. This was not simply a scholarly practice but a theological assertion: Israel's history was superintended and recorded by individuals with direct access to divine wisdom. The inclusion of "genealogies" underscores the Chronicler's consistent concern for lineage, tribal identity, and proper adherence to covenant principles, suggesting that Iddo's work validated legitimate claims and heritage within Judah. Finally, the tragic note of "continual wars" between Rehoboam and Jeroboam serves as a poignant reminder of the disastrous, prolonged consequences of national and spiritual division, initiated by human sin and allowed by divine judgment, standing in stark contrast to God's ideal of a united people dwelling in peace under His covenant. It silently asks the reader to learn from past errors.