New King James Version
2 Chronicles 11:23
23He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the territories of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city; and he gave them provisions in abundance. He also sought many wives for them.
2 Chronicles 11:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.
- New International Version (NIV)He acted wisely, dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and took many wives for them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he dealt wisely and distributed some of his sons through all the districts of Judah and Benjamin, in all the fortified cities, and he gave them abundant provisions and procured wives for them.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Rehoboam also wisely gave responsibilities to his other sons and stationed some of them in the fortified towns throughout the land of Judah and Benjamin. He provided them with generous provisions, and he found many wives for them.
Context of 2 Chronicles 11:23
21Now Rehoboam loved Maachah the granddaughter of Absalom more than all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and begot twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. 22And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maachah as chief, to be leader among his brothers; for he intended to make him king. He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the territories of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city; and he gave them provisions in abundance. He also sought many wives for them.
Read all of 2 Chronicles 112 Chronicles 11:23 word by word
וַיָּבֶן֩ וַיִּפְרֹ֨ץ מִכָּל־בָּנָ֜יו לְֽכָל־אַרְצ֧וֹת יְהוּדָ֣ה וּבִנְיָמִ֗ן לְכֹל֙ עָרֵ֣י הַמְּצֻר֔וֹת וַיִּתֵּ֥ן לָהֶ֛ם הַמָּז֖וֹן לָרֹ֑ב וַיִּשְׁאַ֖ל הֲמ֥וֹן נָשִֽׁים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he dealt wiselyבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
- and dispersedפָּרַץpârats · to break throughH6555
- of all his childrenבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- throughout all the countriesאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
- of Judahיְהוּדָהyehûdâh · JudahH3063
- and Benjaminבִּנְיָמִיןbinyâmîyn · BenjaminH1144
- unto every fencedמְצוּרָהmetsûrâh metsûrâh · siege-worksH4694
- cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
- and he gaveנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
- them victualמָזוֹןmâzôn · foodH4202
- in abundanceרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
- And he desiredשָׁאַלshâ'al shâ'êl · to askH7592
- manyהָמוֹןhâmôn hâmôn · crowdH1995
- wivesאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
Cross-references for 2 Chronicles 11:23
- 2 Chronicles 10:8But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
- Luke 16:8So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
- 2 Chronicles 21:3Their father gave them great gifts of silver and gold and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.
- Genesis 25:6But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.
- 1 Kings 1:5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
- 2 Chronicles 11:11And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of food, oil, and wine.
- 2 Chronicles 11:21Now Rehoboam loved Maachah the granddaughter of Absalom more than all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and begot twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.
Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 11:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23He dealt wisely - It was true policy to disperse his own sons through the different provinces who were not likely to form any league with Jeroboam against their father. He desired many wives - He was much addicted to women; yet we do not find that he formed any heathenish alliances of this nature. And as no particulars are given, we do not know how far he indulged himself in this propensity. He probably strengthened his political connections by these…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Rehoboam‘s wisdom was shown: (1) In dispersing his other sons instead of allowing them to remain together in Jerusalem, where they might have joined in a plot against Abijah, as Adonijah and his brothers had done against Solomon 1 Kings 1:5-10; (2) In giving his sons positions which might well content them and prevent them from being jealous of Abijah. He desired many wives - (Compare 2 Chronicles 11:21). Some prefer to connect the words with the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-23Verses 13-23 When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our choices, religious advantages must be sought before all outward…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Rehoboam gave control to the royal princes, extending the royal family's rule into distant areas. This ensured a smooth power transition and reduced the chance of a revolt or coup. Rehoboam might have done this to avoid the troubles God promised David's house (2 Samuel 12:10–11).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. he dealt wisely--that is, with deep and calculating policy (Ex 1:10). and dispersed of all his children ... unto every fenced city--The circumstance of twenty-eight sons of the king being made governors of fortresses would, in our quarter of the world, produce jealousy and dissatisfaction. But Eastern monarchs ensure peace and tranquillity to their kingdom by bestowing government offices on their sons and grandsons. They obtain an independent…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Chronicles 11:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries