EGW Writings2 Chronicles 11

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 6—The Rending of the Kingdom

PK 92.1

For three years Rehoboam tried to profit by his sad experience at the beginning of his reign; and in this effort he was prospered. He “built cities for defense in Judah,” and “fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.” He was careful to make these fortified cities “exceeding strong.” 2 Chronicles 11:5, 11, 12. But the secret of Judah’s prosperity during the first years of Rehoboam’s reign lay not in these measures. It was their recognition of God as the Supreme Ruler that placed the tribes of Judah and Benjamin on vantage ground. To their number were added many God-fearing men from the northern tribes. “Out of all the tribes of Israel,” the record reads, “such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.” Verses 16, 17.

From Splendor to Shadow

The Mistake That Could Never Be Undone

SS 49.1

For three years Rehoboam tried to profit by his sad experience, and in this effort he was prospered. He built fortified cities “and made them exceeding strong.” 2 Chronicles 11:12. But the secret of Judah’s prosperity during the first years of Rehoboam’s reign lay in recognition of God as the supreme Ruler. It was this that placed the tribes of Judah and Benjamin on vantage ground. “From all the tribes of Israel,” the record reads, “those who had set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came ... to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers. They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they made Rehoboam the son of Solomon secure, for they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.” 2 Chronicles 11:16, 17, RSV.