2 Chronicles 12 16

2 Chronicles 12:16 kjv

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles 12:16 nkjv

So Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. Then Abijah his son reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 12:16 niv

Rehoboam rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. And Abijah his son succeeded him as king.

2 Chronicles 12:16 esv

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David, and Abijah his son reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 12:16 nlt

When Rehoboam died, he was buried in the City of David. Then his son Abijah became the next king.

2 Chronicles 12 verses

2 Chronicles 12 16 Meaning

2 Chronicles 12:16 marks the end of King Rehoboam's reign over Judah. The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, signifying a natural, peaceful, or honored demise. His burial "in the city of David" (Jerusalem) denotes his legitimate royal status and continuity within the Davidic dynasty. The verse concludes by stating that his son, Abijah, formally ascended to the throne, ensuring the succession and continuation of the Davidic line in Judah despite the previous turmoils and division of the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 12 16 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 12 details the final significant events of King Rehoboam's reign. The chapter opens with Judah abandoning the Law of the Lord, leading to the invasion by King Shishak of Egypt in Rehoboam's fifth year. Faced with overwhelming defeat, Rehoboam and the princes humble themselves, prompting the Lord, through the prophet Shemaiah, to show mercy, though they still face subjugation. The chapter describes Shishak's plunder of Jerusalem, including the treasures of the temple and the royal palace, and Rehoboam's subsequent replacement of the gold shields with bronze. The overall narrative of 2 Chronicles 12 highlights the consequence of spiritual decline and the Lord's responsive grace upon repentance. Verse 16 concludes this period by marking Rehoboam's demise and the transfer of power to his son, transitioning the narrative to the next phase of Judah's history under the Davidic dynasty.

2 Chronicles 12 16 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunctive particle, indicating continuity and sequential action, tying this verse to the preceding narrative summary of Rehoboam's reign.
• Rehoboam (רְחַבְעָם, Rᵉḥaḇʿām): Means "the people has broadened" or "he enlarges the people." Son of Solomon, he was the first king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah after the division. His reign was marked by severe misjudgments and apostasy (1 Kgs 12, 2 Chr 10).
• slept (שָׁכַב, shāḵaḇ): A euphemism for death, particularly a peaceful or natural death. It emphasizes the physical cessation of life without implying a state of unconsciousness for the soul. It is a common literary device in the DtrH and Chronicles to denote the end of a king's life.
• with his fathers (עִם־אֲבֹתָיו, ʿim-ʾăḇōṯāw): This phrase signifies joining one's ancestors in death, indicating continuity of lineage and often implying an honored passing and a place among one's people after death. It is frequently associated with kings who are part of a continuous dynasty.
• and was buried (וַיִּקָּבֵר, wayyiqqāḇēr): Refers to the physical act of interring the body. Proper burial was culturally and religiously significant, representing respect and closure.
• in the city of David (בְּעִיר דָּוִיד, bᵉʿîr Dāwiḏ): This specific burial place—Jerusalem, particularly the ancient citadel associated with King David—underscores Rehoboam's legitimate kingship within the Davidic line. It was the exclusive burial ground for many righteous and important kings of Judah, though not for all.
• and Abijah (וַאֲבִיָּהוּ, waʾăḇîyāhū): Meaning "my father is Yah" or "Yahweh is my father." He was Rehoboam's son and immediate successor. His reign, though short, saw a significant military confrontation with Jeroboam of Israel (2 Chr 13).
• his son (בְּנֹו, bᵉnōw): Designates him as the direct biological and rightful heir, upholding the principle of dynastic succession within the Davidic covenant.
• reigned (וַיִּמְלֹךְ, wayyimloḵ): Indicates the formal act of taking the throne and exercising royal authority, the start of his legitimate rule.
• in his stead (תַּחְתָּיו, taḥtāyw): Signifies direct replacement and the smooth transition of power.

Words-group analysis:

• "slept with his fathers": This phrase is a common and highly formulaic expression in biblical historiography (especially in Kings and Chronicles) indicating the death of a king. It reflects a view of death as a return to one's ancestral resting place, often suggesting a natural and generally accepted end to their reign. It contrasts with more violent or dishonorable ends. For kings, it also implies continuity within their dynastic line.
• "buried in the city of David": This denotes a privileged and honorable burial place reserved for the kings of Judah. It legitimizes Rehoboam's place within the royal lineage originating from King David, emphasizing the divine promise that a successor would always sit on David's throne. This burial site visually confirmed his dynastic continuity and position.
• "Abijah his son reigned in his stead": This standard succession formula affirms the transfer of royal authority. It reinforces the stability and enduring nature of the Davidic dynasty as divinely established, even through tumultuous reigns like Rehoboam's. It sets the stage for the next chapter in Judah's history under God's continued covenant with David.

2 Chronicles 12 16 Bonus section

• The repetitive use of the "slept with his fathers" formula (around 40 times in Kings and Chronicles) serves a structural purpose in biblical historiography, marking the end of one reign and the transition to the next, emphasizing the linear progression of time and the dynastic nature of Israelite and Judean kingship.
• While "slept with his fathers" typically implies an honored death, the preceding verse (2 Chr 12:14) provides a negative assessment of Rehoboam's spiritual state: "he did evil, because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD." This juxtaposition highlights that even kings judged as unrighteous could still die a natural death and receive royal burial, primarily due to God's steadfast commitment to the Davidic covenant, rather than the king's personal piety.
• The fact that Rehoboam, despite his weaknesses, was succeeded by his direct son according to the lineage further strengthens the Chronicler's emphasis on God's unwavering faithfulness to the Davidic covenant. This lineage preservation is paramount in the Chronicler's theological agenda.

2 Chronicles 12 16 Commentary

2 Chronicles 12:16 provides the standard concluding summary of a king's reign in the Chronicler's history. Far from a mere factual statement, it encapsulates theological and historical truths. The formulaic mention of Rehoboam's death and succession by his son Abijah underscores the Chronicler's primary focus: the unwavering continuity of the Davidic dynasty. Despite Rehoboam's failures, which included abandoning the Law (2 Chr 12:1), leading to the severe discipline of the Egyptian invasion, and the unflattering verdict that "he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the LORD" (2 Chr 12:14), God's covenant with David remains intact. His burial "in the city of David" further symbolizes this unbreakable connection to the foundational king of Judah. This verse serves as a subtle yet powerful testament to God's enduring faithfulness to His promises, even when human instruments fail, setting the stage for the continuing story of the royal line that would ultimately lead to the Messiah.