2 Chronicles 28 18

2 Chronicles 28:18 kjv

The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.

2 Chronicles 28:18 nkjv

The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Sochoh with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages; and they dwelt there.

2 Chronicles 28:18 niv

while the Philistines had raided towns in the foothills and in the Negev of Judah. They captured and occupied Beth Shemesh, Aijalon and Gederoth, as well as Soko, Timnah and Gimzo, with their surrounding villages.

2 Chronicles 28:18 esv

And the Philistines had made raids on the cities in the Shephelah and the Negeb of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages. And they settled there.

2 Chronicles 28:18 nlt

And the Philistines had raided towns located in the foothills of Judah and in the Negev of Judah. They had already captured and occupied Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages.

2 Chronicles 28 verses

2 Chronicles 28 18 Meaning

Second Chronicles 28:18 describes a severe military invasion by the Philistines into the Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Ahaz. These adversaries captured numerous strategic cities and their surrounding villages located in the Shephelah (Lowland) and Negev (South) regions. This territorial conquest signifies a significant defeat and humiliation for Judah, indicating the severity of God's judgment upon the nation for King Ahaz's pervasive apostasy and unfaithfulness. The Philistines not only took these areas but "settled there," implying a sustained occupation and loss of Judahite sovereignty over these critical lands.

2 Chronicles 28 18 Context

Second Chronicles chapter 28 recounts the severely wicked reign of King Ahaz of Judah (c. 735-715 BC). Ahaz disregarded the heritage of King David and chose to walk in the ways of the kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom), engaging in widespread idolatry, even to the extent of sacrificing his own children to pagan gods. His unfaithfulness provoked God's wrath, leading to significant distress for Judah. The nation faced multiple simultaneous threats and invasions as divine judgment. While Ahaz sought human alliances, notably with Assyria, rather than turning to the Lord, God allowed Judah's traditional enemies, including the Arameans, Israelites, and Edomites (mentioned earlier in the chapter), to afflict the kingdom. Verse 18 specifically details another dimension of this comprehensive judgment: a formidable invasion by the Philistines from Judah's western and southwestern borders. This calamity, alongside others, served as a stark consequence of Ahaz's extreme apostasy.

2 Chronicles 28 18 Word analysis

• For the Philistines also: (Hebrew: וּפְלִשְׁתִּים֙ גַּם־פָּשְׁט֗וּ, ūfəlischtim gam-pashṭū)

  • Philistines (פְּלִשְׁתִּים, Pelishtim): A non-Israelite people settled in the southwest coastal plain of Canaan, consistently depicted as a formidable and persistent adversary of Israel throughout much of its history. Their re-emergence in this capacity signals a low point for Judah's defenses and sovereignty. The word "also" emphasizes that this invasion was one of multiple simultaneous or consecutive judgments Ahaz faced, intensifying the pressure on Judah.
  • had invaded (פָּשְׁטוּ, pashṭū): Means "spread out," "broke forth," "raided," or "made a hostile incursion." It implies an aggressive military advance beyond mere border skirmishes, indicating a substantial incursion into Judah's territory.

• the cities of the Lowland and of the South of Judah:

  • Lowland (הַשְּׁפֵלָה, ha-Shephelah): The geographic region of rolling hills and valleys forming a transitional zone between the coastal plain and the Judean mountains. It was strategically vital, serving as a buffer zone and containing fertile agricultural land. Control of the Shephelah often dictated security for the Judahite highlands.
  • South (הַנֶּגֶב, ha-Negev): The arid, semi-desert region stretching south of Judah. Its inclusion indicates the Philistine invasion extended deep into Judah's vulnerable southern flank, signifying a widespread and significant territorial loss.

• and had taken (וַיִּלְכְּד֛וּ, vayyilkəḏū): "And they captured," "conquered." This denotes decisive military success and occupation, not just fleeting raids.

• Beth Shemesh (בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ, Bet Shemesh): "House of the Sun." A prominent border city in the Sorek Valley within the Shephelah, known from the narrative of the Ark's return (1 Sam 6). Its capture signifies the Philistines advancing deeply into previously Judahite-controlled territory.

• and Aijalon (אַיָּלוֹן, Ayālon): "Place of Gazelles." Another significant Shephelah city, strategically located at the mouth of a vital pass (Valley of Aijalon) leading up towards the Judean mountains. Mentioned in Joshua's battle (Josh 10:12) where the sun stood still.

• and Gederoth (וּגְדֵרוֹת֙, ūgəḏerot): "Sheepfolds." A city also located in the Shephelah. Its fall underscores the widespread nature of the Philistine conquest.

• and Socho with its villages (וְשׂוֹכ֣וֹ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ, wəśokho ūvənoteiha):

  • Socho (שׂוֹכֹה, Sokho): "Thorns." A key strategic city in the Elah Valley, famously associated with David's battle against Goliath (1 Sam 17:1). Its capture was a significant blow as it controlled access routes into the heart of Judah.
  • its villages (וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ, ūvənoteiha): Literally "and its daughters," meaning its dependent surrounding towns and settlements. This emphasizes a comprehensive occupation of the area, not just isolated cities.

• and Timnah with its villages (וְתִמְנָ֖ה וּבְנֹתֶ֑יהָ, wətimnah ūvənoteiha):

  • Timnah (תִּמְנָה, Timnah): "Portion." Another Shephelah city with connections to Samson (Judg 14).
  • its villages: Reinforces the extensive capture.

• Gimzo also and its villages (גַּם־גִּמְזוֹ֙ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ, gam-Gimzo ūvənoteiha):

  • Gimzo (גִּמְזוֹ, Gimzo): A city whose exact location is less prominent in other biblical texts, indicating that the Philistine reach extended even to less well-known but significant regional centers.
  • its villages: Highlights the completeness of the takeover.

• and they settled there: (וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ שָׁם, vayyeshəbū sham) This phrase is crucial, implying not just a temporary raid for plunder but a permanent occupation. The Philistines established a continuous presence and asserted dominion over these newly conquered Judahite lands, signifying a major and lasting territorial loss for the kingdom of Judah.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For the Philistines also had invaded...and they settled there": This clause indicates a multi-faceted crisis for Judah under Ahaz. The phrase "Philistines also" points to their attack being in addition to other pressures, such as the invasion by Israel and Syria, intensifying Judah's predicament. The severity is heightened by the finality of "and they settled there," marking a long-term loss of territory and sovereignty, a grave consequence of Judah's turning from God's protection.
  • "cities of the Lowland and of the South of Judah": This phrase delineates the geographical extent of the disaster. The "Lowland" (Shephelah) was economically significant due to its agriculture and strategically vital as a buffer zone. The "South" (Negev) represents a deeper penetration into Judah's territory. This combination signifies that Judah's western and southern flanks were critically compromised, exposing the heartland to further threats.
  • "taken Beth Shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Socho with its villages, and Timnah with its villages, Gimzo also and its villages": The specific naming of these six cities, followed by the explicit mention of their "villages," emphasizes the extensive and complete nature of the Philistine conquest. These were not minor settlements; several were significant strategic strongholds. The comprehensive enumeration paints a vivid picture of the sheer magnitude of territorial loss, a direct result of God withdrawing His protective hand from Judah due to Ahaz's wickedness.

2 Chronicles 28 18 Bonus section

• The chronicler often highlights the direct link between the kings' righteousness (or lack thereof) and the nation's welfare (2 Chr 7:19-22). This Philistine invasion is a prime example of God's covenant curses manifesting due to Judah's rebellion.
• The fact that these cities were "settled" by the Philistines points to a period of direct foreign occupation and probably forced tribute, a humiliating state for God's chosen people, demonstrating their reliance on God for true sovereignty.
• This specific military action by the Philistines during Ahaz's reign is notably absent from the account in 2 Kings, suggesting that the Chronicler, writing from a theological perspective, emphasized events that specifically underlined God's covenant interaction and judicial actions towards Judah.

2 Chronicles 28 18 Commentary

Second Chronicles 28:18 serves as a stark testament to the consequences of persistent national apostasy. Under King Ahaz, Judah spiraled into deep idolatry, prompting God to withdraw His protective hand, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to its historical adversaries. The Philistine invasion detailed here was not merely a random attack but a specific, severe judgment from the Lord. By allowing Judah's long-standing enemies to overrun significant strategic and economic territories in the Shephelah and Negev, God was unequivocally demonstrating the futility of turning from Him. The loss of cities like Socho, with its rich history related to Israelite triumph, would have been particularly humiliating, underscoring Judah's current degradation. The emphasis on "villages" and the permanence of "settled there" indicates a deep-seated loss of control and a significant reshaping of Judah's borders, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the divine discipline. This verse illustrates that faithfulness brings security, while unfaithfulness invites profound distress and exposure to enemy action. Ahaz's tragedy lies in his continued spiritual hardness despite these glaring signs, further illustrating that divine judgment can deepen when warnings go unheeded.