Bible Commentary: 1 Chronicles 20 - 2 Chronicles 14

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Bible Commentary for 1 Chronicles 20 thru 2 Chronicles 14

1 Chronicles Chapter 20

David sent Joab to fight the Ammonites but he remained in Jerusalem. After conquering all the Ammonite cities, Joab was fighting against Rabbah, the capital city. When he had taken control of the city’s water supply, he sent word to David that he should bring the remainder of the army and capture the city so that he would get credit for the victory. (See 2 Samuel 12:26-31) David did so and after the king was killed, he took his crown and put it upon his head. The crown was made of a talent of gold with many precious stones in it. It weighed seventy-five pounds. He took much plunder from the city and he consigned the people to forced labor in all the cities of Ammon.

Three battles that David fought with the Philistines are delineated. Sibbecai killed Sippai, a descendant of Rapha, in the battle at Gezer. In another battle, Elhanan, son of Jair, killed Lahmi, a brother of Goliath. At Gath, Jonathan, David’s nephew, killed a very large man who had twenty-four digits on his feet and hands. He also was a descendant of Rapha. The Bible History Commentaryof the Old Testament, page 610, says about these Rephaites: “Rapha was the ancestral father of a race of giants, known as Rephaites, who coexisted with the early Philistines and perhaps even intermarried with them (cf. Gen. 14:5; Deut. 2:11, 20; 3:11; 1 Chron. 20:4).” After the death of these defenders of the Philistines, they were subjugated.

1 Chronicles Chapter 21

David decided to number the nation at the instigation of Satan. Taking a census was not bad in itself but Jehovah did not want David to rely on the number of his army to determine if he could win a war but was to rely on Jehovah himself. When he told Joab to do this, Joab resisted because it was odious to him to do this. He believed that this numbering of the nation would bring guilt on the people. But David’s word prevailed and Joab numbered Israel. There is some controversy about the actual count. The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume I, page 616, makes this comment: “In comparison with those given in 2 Sa. 24:9, Ezra’s sum of 1,100,000 for all Israel is larger than Samuel’s 800,000, which probably did not include the regularly organized army (note the lack of an “all” before “Israel”) of 288,000; but his sum of 470,000 for Judah is a bit smaller than Samuel’s 500,000, which may here simply be a round number.” Because of Joab’s dislike for this assignment, he did not include any men from Levi or from Benjamin. Jehovah was displeased with David. (See 27:23, 24)

David’s conscience also bothered him and he asked Jehovah to forgive him for this foolish act. Jehovah sent the prophet Gad to David to let him know that he would not go unpunished and gave him the opportunity to choose the punishment he should receive. David’s preference was to fall into Jehovah’s hand rather than into the hand of his enemies. So Jehovah brought a plague upon the nation for three days and seventy thousand died. But when the angel had his sword stretched out towards Jerusalem, Jehovah relented because it grieved Him to destroy this city. When David and the elders saw the angel with his outstretched sword, they, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces before Jehovah. David prayed that Jehovah would not blame this sin on the people, as he was the one responsible for it.

Josephus, in his Antiquities of the Jews, page 166, states this as the reason why God brought these plagues on the nation. It reads: “Now King David was desirous to know how many ten thousands there were of the people but forgot the commands of Moses who told them beforehand, that if the multitude were numbered, they should pay half a shekel to God for every head.”

The angel told Gad to tell David to build an altar on the threshing floor that belonged to Araunah the Jebusite. David then went to Araunah and asked him to sell him the threshing floor so that he might build an altar to Jehovah. Araunah was willing to give David the threshing floor at no charge but David stated that he would not offer a sacrifice to Jehovah that had cost him nothing. He wanted to pay the full price for the land so Araunah then sold it to him for six hundred shekels of gold. The account in 2 Samuel 24 stated that David paid only fifty shekels of silver for the site. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, page 611, explains the differences this way: “This problem is explained by noting that the silver paid for the threshing floor and oxen (2 Sam. 24:24) and that the gold paid for the site, a large plot of ground apparently adjacent to the threshing floor.”

David then built the altar and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on it. He prayed to Jehovah and Jehovah answered him by sending fire from heaven to consume the burnt offerings. Jehovah spoke to the angel and he put his sword back into its sheath. The plague was over. From that day forward, David would offer sacrifices at this site rather than in Gibeon where the bronze altar that Moses built was located. He recognized that this was the place chosen by Jehovah for the House to be built for His name.

1 Chronicles Chapter 22

David now began making preparations for the building of the House of Jehovah. He assembled the aliens living in Israel and he appointed some of them to be stonecutters. He provided large amounts of iron, bronze and cedar logs. He knew that Solomon was inexperienced and he wanted to do as much of the preparation as possible to aid Solomon in his work.

David then spoke to Solomon about this responsibility of building the House for Jehovah. He told him that Jehovah would give him discretion and understanding so as to keep the law of Jehovah. He would succeed if he observed the decrees and laws that Jehovah had given to Moses when He put him over his people. He reminded Solomon that he had provided 100,000 talent of gold (3,750 tons), 1,000,000 talents of silver (37,500 tons), and quantities of bronze and iron that were too much to be weighed, as well as stones and wood. He had provided stonecutters, masons, and carpenters, men skilled in working with silver, gold, bronze and iron. He also urged the leaders of Israel to help Solomon build this House for Jehovah because Jehovah had given them rest from their enemies. It would be the place for the Ark of the Covenant and the sacred articles that belonged to Jehovah.

1 Chronicles Chapter 23

David also organized the Levites for their service at the House of Jehovah because they did not need to carry the Tabernacle as they had been assigned to do during Moses’ day. He organized them into groups that corresponded to the sons of Levi, Gershon, Kohath and Merari. When the Levites were initially counted it was from the age of thirty and at that time they numbered thirty-eight thousand. Twenty-four thousand would supervise the work of the temple, six thousand would be assigned as judges and officials, four thousand would be gatekeepers, and four thousand would serve as musicians to sing praise to Jehovah.

The heads of the three families of Levi are listed. The descendants of Gershon are counted through his two sons, Ladan and Shimei. The descendants of Kohath are reckoned through his four sons, Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Amram’s descendants are counted through Moses’ because Aaron’s sons were the priests. The descendants of Merari were counted through his two sons Mahli and Mushi. David’s last instructions were to include the Levites from the age of twenty rather than thirty to serve at the temple.

The specific duties of the Levites were to be supervised by the Aaronic priests. Their duties would include being in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of the sacred things, the sacred bread of presence, the flour for the grain offering, the baking and mixing, and all the measurements of quantity and size. They were also responsible for the thank and praise offering when the morning and evening burnt offerings were presented to Jehovah, for the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and the three appointed feasts.

1 Chronicles Chapter 24

David organized the priests into divisions on the basis of their forefathers Eleazar and Ithamar. The two men, who served as high priests during David’s reign, Zadok and Abiathar, helped him do this. Since there were more leaders from the descendants of Eleazar than from Ithamar, sixteen groups would be assigned from Eleazar family and eight groups from Ithamar’s family, twenty-four groups in all. Each group would serve two weeks at the temple taking care of all of the priestly duties. The lot was used to determine the order in which the groups would serve. The result of the lot is given in verses 7-18. This arrangement was in effect in Jesus’ day as Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was of the division of Abijah (verse 10) and his division was serving at the temple when the angel approached him to tell him he would have a son. (Luke 1:5) The leaders of the remaining non-priestly descendants of Levi are listed in verses 20-30. This listing is a continuation of the one recorded in chapter 23.

1 Chronicles Chapter 25

The Levites who were responsible for prophesying, singing praises and playing the musical instruments at the temple were descendants of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun, the chief musicians. The sons of these three men numbered twenty-four so they were also divided into twenty-four divisions. There were a total of two hundred eighty eight persons in these twenty-four divisions and each division had twelve skilled musicians, all of whom were leaders and teachers. They also cast lots to determine the order of their service at the temple.

Asaph and his descendants composed at least twelve songs used in the temple services that are now recorded in the Bible book of Psalms, numbers 50, 73-83. Jeduthun was the chief musician playing the harp. Two of the psalms written by David gave specific instruction for Jeduthun to be responsible for the temple presentations on the harp, numbers 39 and 62. The sons of Korah are credited with composing twelve of the Psalms, numbers 42-49, 84, 85, 87, and 88. Heman, who was a son of Korah, no doubt contributed to these compositions. In addition to the fourteen sons that Jehovah blessed him with, he also had three daughters who also participated in musical presentations. (Psalms 68:25)

1 Chronicles Chapter 26

The Levites who had been designated to serve as gatekeepers were now organized into divisions. There were three divisions headed by Meshelemiah, his son Zechariah and Obed-Edom, all Korahites, and Hosah, a Merarite. Lots were also cast to determine who would be in charge of each gate and the storerooms. The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah (Meshelemiah) and his eighteen descendants. The lot for the North Gate fell to his son, Zechariah and his descendants. The lot for the South Gate and the storehouse fell to Obed-Edom and his sixty-two descendants. The lot for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate fell to Hosah and his thirteen descendants and Shuppim (not identified in this chapter). A total of twenty-two Levites were assigned to these posts at a time. According to the arrangement outlined in chapter 9, the gatekeepers had to be on duty for twenty-four hours. If the watches were eight hour in duration, then sixty-six Levites would be needed for guard duty each day. Also indicated in this chapter is that they would serve for seven-day periods rather than two-week periods.

The descendants of Ladan, a Gershonite, were given responsibility for the treasuries of the house of God. These included revenues from tithes, offerings, etc. Shubael, a descendant of Moses through his son, Gershom, had charge of the treasuries of the dedicated things, those dedicated by King David, the family heads, the plunder taken in battle, and all that was dedicated by Samuel, Saul, Abner and Joab. Other Kohathites, descendants of Izhar, were assigned duties away from the temple as officials and judges, and descendants of Hebron were assigned duties over the tribes west of the Jordan to care for matters pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.

1 Chronicles Chapter 27

David organized the army into twelve divisions of twenty-four thousand per division and each division had a commander. The commanders of these divisions were among David’s closest associates, those who had distinguished themselves in battle as they are listed among the Thirty (11:11-47). Each division was placed on active duty for one month of each year. The officers over the twelve tribes are also listed in verses 16-22. In verse 18, it is stated that David’s brother, Elihu, was over the tribe of Judah. This name is not mentioned in the listing of Jesse’s sons (2:13), so he may have been a close relative of David’s or Elihu may be a variant of the name of David’s oldest brother, Eliab. The tribe of Levi had two leaders, one over the non-priestly Levites and one over the priestly Levites. In verses 25-31, the names of the men who were in charge of King David’s property such as his storehouses, his fields, his olive groves and his livestock are listed.

More insight is given in verses 23 and 24 concerning the incident where David had Joab do a census. Because of the promise that Jehovah made to Abraham that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 12:2) David did not number “all Israel,” only the men of fighting age, twenty years and up. But Joab did not complete his task because Jehovah brought His wrath upon Israel. This incomplete census then was not entered into the records of King David.

Jonathan, David’s uncle, and Ahithophel were the king’s counselors. Jehoiada and Abiathar later replaced Ahithophel. Jehiel was in charge of David’s sons, Joab was commander of David’s army and Hushai was David’s friend.

1 Chronicles Chapter 28

The chronicler now concentrates on the desire that was closest to David’s heart, the building of the temple for Jehovah’s name. David called all of the appointed officials together, from the heads of the tribes to the officials appointed over his personal property including his palace officials. He spoke to them about his heart-felt desire to build a house for Jehovah and how he had made plans to do so. But because he was man of war, he would not be allowed to do it. But Jehovah had promised to build a house for David that would last forever. His son Solomon had now been chosen by Jehovah to sit on the throne of Jehovah over Israel and he would be the one to build a house to Jehovah. If Solomon were obedient to Jehovah then He would establish his house forever. David then charged Solomon before all those assembled to "be careful to follow all of Jehovah’s commands, to serve him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind." If he rejected Jehovah, He would abandon him forever.

David then gave to Solomon the plans that Jehovah, by means of His holy spirit, had given him. Just as with Moses, the plans for His house were not left to chance or to the whims of humans. No, but he gave the pattern of how His house should be constructed to both Moses and David, from its dimensions even down to the weight of the gold and silver to be used for making every article to be used in the service of the temple. Solomon was also given the instructions for the divisions of the priests and the Levites and the work that they were to perform in the temple. David had written down all that Jehovah had shown him and He gave him understanding of all of the details of this plan. David then encouraged Solomon to be "courageous and strong" and to not become afraid or discouraged, as Jehovah would not forsake him until all of the work had been done and the house was completed and all Israel would support him also.

1 Chronicles Chapter 29

David realized that it would be an insurmountable task for Solomon to have to gather all of the materials needed for the temple as well as building it. The undertaking of building a temple for the Almighty God is not as simple as building something for a human to inhabit. So David had provided the major portion of the needed materials, much of it coming from the plunder taken from nations he had defeated and now he is also contributing all of his personal wealth. He then asks if there are any in the assembly who would also like to make a contribution. The tribal leaders, the commanders and the officials willingly gave of their possessions. Together they contributed about 190 tons of gold and 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze and 3, 750 tons of iron, in addition to precious stones. As a result of this willing giving, there was much rejoicing among the people.

Then David expressed thanksgiving to Jehovah who had made it possible for this joyous outpouring of generosity. He praised Jehovah as the everlasting King to whom is to be attributed the greatness, power, glory, majesty and splendor. He is the owner of everything whether in heaven or on earth and is head over all. Wealth and honor comes from Him and it is in His power to exalt or give strength. He is to be given thanks and His name is to be praised.

David admits that the generosity of the people and that of himself was possible only because Jehovah was generous. All that had been given that day was really from Jehovah for humans have nothing of their own. But Jehovah tests the heart and is pleased with those who give as David did, willingly and with honest intent. He implores Jehovah to always give to His people this same spirit and loyalty of heart. He also asks that Jehovah will give Solomon the desire to keep His commands, requirements and decrees and the strength to build the palatial structure that he had made provisions for. He then told the entire assembly to praise Jehovah and they responded by prostrating themselves before Jehovah.

The next day an abundance of sacrifices were offered to Jehovah on behalf on Israel. Then they with great joy ate and drank in the presence of Jehovah. Afterwards they acknowledged Solomon as king. He was anointed a second time and he sat down on the throne of Jehovah in place of his father, David. All of those assembled that day pledged to submit to his rulership including all of David’s sons. Jehovah exalted Solomon and bestowed on him royal splendor unlike any king had before him or after him.

David then died at a good old age having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. He had ruled Israel for forty years and the events of his reign are recorded in the writings of Samuel the seer, Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.

The Book of 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles Chapter 1

Solomon had all the elders, commanders, judges and heads of families assemble at Gibeon where the Tabernacle that Moses had built was located. Although the Ark of the Covenant was not there as David had built a tent for it in Jerusalem, the copper altar was there and Solomon and Israel gathered there to offer sacrifices and to give thanks to Jehovah. That night Jehovah appeared to Solomon and asked Solomon what did he want Him to do for him. Solomon wisely asked for wisdom and knowledge so that he could govern His people who were as numerous as the dust of the earth. This pleased Jehovah and He agreed to give him his request. Additionally He would also give him wealth, riches and honor in such abundance that no king before or after him would be able to match it.

Solomon began to accumulate horses and chariots and he had cities specially designed for these. He imported them from Egypt and he also exported them to the Hitites and Arameans. Under his rule, silver was not valued much more than stones in the streets and cedar became as plentiful as the common sycamore-fig trees.

2 Chronicles Chapter 2

Solomon gave orders to begin the building of the temple. The account of the temple building in these chapters is a more abbreviated one than that given in 1 Kings chapters six and seven. He conscripted from among the one hundred fifty-three thousand and six hundred aliens living in the land seventy thousand men to be carriers and eighty thousand to be stonecutters and he appointed thirty-six hundred to be foremen over them. He wrote to Hiram, king of Tyre, requesting that he send him a skilled craftsman who worked in gold, silver, bronze, iron, purple, crimson and blue yarn and was an experienced engraver. Solomon also needed cedar, pine and algum logs from Lebanon which Hiram’s men were skilled in cutting down. He would pay for these services by sending Hiram ground wheat, barley, wine and olive oil. Hiram responded by giving praise to Jehovah who had given David a wise son who would build a temple for Him and a palace for himself. He would send Huram-Abi, a skilled craftsman, who was trained and experienced in the skills that Solomon needed. Solomon should send the foodstuffs he promised and he would have his men cut the timber and send them by sea in rafts to Joppa where Solomon’s men could get them and take them to where they were needed.

2 Chronicles Chapter 3

Solomon began to build the temple in the second month of the fourth year of his reign on Mount Moriah, the place that David had purchased from Araunah, the Jebusite. The foundation of the temple was ninety by thirty feet (a cubit equals eighteen inches) and the portico (porch) was thirty feet wide and thirty feet high. The inside of the temple was overlaid with pure gold, gold from Parvaim. Scholars do not know if this was a specific place or just a particularly fine grade of gold. Cherubim, palm trees and open flowers were carved on the walls. (1 Kings 6:29) The Most Holy Place was thirty feet by thirty feet and it was overlaid with six hundred talent of fine gold and the gold nails used to fasten the gold to the walls weighed fifty shekels. He made two cherubim whose total wingspan was 30 feet, going from one wall to the other wall and touching each other in the middle of the room. These were also covered in fine gold and they stood on their feet facing the Holy Place.

He made the Holy place of pine and overlaid it with fine gold and he carved palm trees and chain designs on the walls. It was twice the length of the Most Holy Place, sixty feet by thirty feet. He made a curtain of blue, purple and crimson yarn and fine linen with cherubim embroidered into it to separate the Holy from the Most Holy.

Solomon made two pillars to be placed in front of the temple and each had a capital on top of it. The capitals were in the shape of lilies and were decorated with chains (networks) and pomegranates. One pillar was placed to the south and it was called Jakin and the other was placed to the north and it was called Boaz. (See 1 Kings 7:15-22) The prophet Jeremiah gave a more detailed description of these pillars than is given in this chapter. He wrote that they were eighteen cubits (twenty-seven feet) high and twelve cubits (eighteen feet) in circumference. The thickness of the bronze was equal to four fingers and these pillars were hollow inside. The bronze capitals on top of these pillars were five cubits (seven and one-half feet) high and were decorated with a network and pomegranates. (Jeremiah 52:21-23)

2 Chronicles Chapter 4

The bronze altar was thirty feet long, thirty feet wide and fifteen feet high. The molten Sea was fifteen feet in diameter; its circumference was forty-five feet around and it was seven and one-half feet high. Below its rim were ornamental figures of bulls, ten bulls every eighteen inches. There were two rows of bulls and they were cast in one piece with the Sea. The sea was set on twelve bulls; three were facing east, three facing west, three facing north and three facing south. The sea held three thousands baths of water, about seventeen thousand five hundred gallons. The priests used the Sea to wash themselves before they performed their duties. He then made ten smaller basins for washing the burnt offerings. Five were put on the south side of the temple and the other five were placed on the north side.

Solomon then had ten gold lampstands, each with seven branches, and ten gold tables made and these were put in the Holy place, five on the south side and five on the north. This account does not state what the ten tables were used for but we know that at least one of them contained the Bread of Presence. He then made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls. He made the two courtyards, one for the priest where he placed the Sea on the southside, and a larger one where the people could congregate.

All of the work that Huram-Abi did in bronze was done using clay molds and these molds were cast in the Jordan Valley between Succoth and Zarethan. The footnote to verse 17 in the NIV Study Bible says of this area: “The clay beds of the Jordan plain made it possible to dig molds for these bronze castings.” The listing of all the bronze articles made by Huram-Abi are given in verses 12-16a. The gold articles used in the temple worship are listed in verses 19-22 and these were also made by Huram-Abi although it is not so stated here.

2 Chronicles Chapter 5

When all of the work had been completed for the temple, Solomon then brought all the silver, gold and furnishing that had been dedicated to Jehovah by his father David and put them into the rooms built specifically for them. He then assembled all of the tribal heads, elders and family heads to Jerusalem to take the ark from the tent that David had made and put it into the Most Holy of the temple. This took place during the seventh month, Tishri, when the Festival of Booths was celebrated. Since the record indicates that the work on the temple was not completed until the eighth month, it is more probable that this occurred in the seventh month of the following year.

The priests carried the ark and the Levites brought the Tent of Meeting and the sacred utensils that were in the tent. The priests put the ark in its place under the wings of the cherubim. All of the priests were present as they had all consecrated themselves even though they were not serving in the temple at this time. The Levites who were the musicians and singers were dressed in fine linen and were playing their instruments and singing. One hundred and twenty priests who were playing the trumpets accompanied them. When the priests came out of the Most Holy, the house became filled with the glory of Jehovah just as had happened when the Tent of Meeting was dedicated under Moses. (Exodus 40:34, 35)

2 Chronicles Chapter 6

Solomon then said: “The LORD [Jehovah] has said that He would dwell in a dark cloud; I have indeed built a magnificent temple for You, a place for You to dwell forever.” (NIV) He then turned to the people and blessed them and offered praise to Jehovah who had fulfilled his promise to David. Jehovah had not since Israel’s coming out of Egypt chosen a city to have a temple built for His name. But David had desired to do this and this was pleasing to Jehovah, but he was told that his son would be the one who would build the temple. Jehovah has now kept that promise. Solomon who succeeded his father, David, has now built this temple, a place for the ark.

Solomon had a platform of bronze built in the outer courtyard that measured seven and one-half feet square and four and one-half feet high on which he stood. He knelt down on this platform before the assembled people and he offered a prayer of dedication to Jehovah. He asks that Jehovah would always recognize the temple as the means by which His people would be able to approach Him when they sinned against Him. Solomon recognized that there is no one like Jehovah whether in heaven or on earth. He has shown Himself to be a faithful God by speaking His word to His servant and then opening His hand and causing His word to be fulfilled. He then asks that Jehovah would also remember His promise that there would always be a man sitting on David’s throne as long as his sons were obedient and walked in Jehovah’s way.

Solomon knew that Jehovah did not literally dwell on earth or in a temple made by human hands as even the heaven of the heavens cannot contain Him. But because God has placed His name on this temple, may His eyes be open towards this temple night and day so that He would hear from heaven the prayer of those supplicating Him and forgive them. Solomon then proposes seven situations that an Israelite could find himself in and be in need of help from Jehovah and he pleads with Jehovah that He would be merciful to them as they pray towards the temple and forgive them. Several of these seven situations are actually curses described in the Law Covenant that would come upon them because of disobedience.

Whenever someone wrongs another and there is not enough evidence or no witnesses to attest to the matter, then he has to come to the altar and swear an oath before it, and then Jehovah must decide who is guilty or who is innocent.

When Israel is defeated by their enemy because they have sinned against Jehovah and they turn to Him, confess their sin and pray to Him in this temple, then from heavens hear them and forgive them.

When the heavens have been shut up and no rain falls on the land because Israel has sinned against Him; but they turn from their sin, confess His name and pray toward the temple, then He should forgive their sin and teach them the right way to live and send rain on the land.

If famine or plague, blight or mildew, locust or grasshopper or an enemy besieges them in their land or whatever comes upon Israel because of their disobedience, when a prayer or plea is made by a person whose heart afflicts him, and he spreads his hands towards the temple, then Jehovah should hear and forgive and render to each in accordance with his ways since He alone knows the heart of man.

If a foreigner who has heard of Jehovah comes to this temple, then hear from the heavens and do whatever he asks so that people everywhere will learn to fear You as Israel does and may come to know that this house bears Your name.

When Israel goes to war against their enemies and they pray towards this temple, Jehovah should hear their plea and uphold their cause.

When Israel sins and Jehovah becomes angry with them and He allows the enemy to take them captive. While in this land they have a change of heart and acknowledge their sin and pray towards this temple, then Jehovah should hear from heaven their prayer and forgive them.

He concludes this prayer with words that are recorded at Psalm 132:8-10. This psalm may have been written especially for this occasion. It uses words similar to those used by Moses whenever the ark came to rest. (Numbers 10:35) It reads: “Now arise, O LORD [Jehovah] God, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests, O LORD [Jehovah] God, be clothed with salvation, and your saints rejoice in your goodness. O LORD [Jehovah] God, do not reject your anointed one. Remember the great love promised to David your servant.”

2 Chronicles Chapter 7

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and other sacrifices. (5:6) The people were so overawed when they saw this that they fell on their faces and they gave thanks to Jehovah saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” The people then began the dedication services of the temple. Solomon offered peace offerings of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep and goats. The Levites were in their places with their musical instruments and the priests with the trumpets were standing opposite them blowing on them. Because of the great number of sacrifices offered, the middle of the courtyard in front of the house was consecrated, as the bronze altar could not accommodate them all.

The people had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and had also celebrated the Festival of Booths for the required seven days. On the twenty-third day, Solomon sent the people to their homes very joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that Jehovah was showing to Israel.

After Solomon had completed Jehovah’s house and his own house, Jehovah appeared to him as he had done in Gibeon. He told Solomon that He had heard his prayer concerning the house that he had built and He had chosen this place for Himself as a place where acceptable sacrifices could be offered to Him. When He has to discipline His people by bringing famine and locusts plagues among them, then if they humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways and pray to Him, He would hear from the heavens and forgive their sin. He had consecrated the temple by putting His name on it and not only His eyes but also His heart would be there. If Solomon wanted Jehovah’s promise to always have a descendant of David on the throne, then he and his descendants would have to walk in integrity and uprightness before Him as David had done. They would have to keep His statutes and ordinances doing all that He had commanded them. If they turned away from Jehovah and served other gods so as to worship them, then He would remove Israel from the land he had given them and the temple that He had consecrated for His name He would reject it. All who passed by would wonder in amazement and say "why has Jehovah done this to this land and this temple?" And the answer would be that it was because they had forsaken Jehovah and worshipped other gods.

2 Chronicles Chapter 8

It had taken Solomon twenty years to complete his building program. Hiram, king of Tyre, had supplied him with building lumber and gold and Solomon had given him twenty cities that were located in the territory of Asher. The northern border of Asher adjoined Tyre. Hiram was not pleased with these cities and he considered them ‘as good as nothing’ and that is why they were called the land of ‘Cabul.’ (1 Kings 9:12, 13) Verse 2 indicates that Hiram returned these cities to Solomon who then rebuilt them and settled Israelites in them. He captured Hamath Zobah and built storehouses in it. He also built upper and lower Beth-horon as fortified cities as well as Baalath and Tadmor in the wilderness. These cities were fortified to keep invaders out of Israel. Solomon also built storage cities throughout Israel as well as cities for his chariots and his horsemen.

The Encyclopedia Judaica, Volume 15, page 102 gives us this insight: “In view of Israel’s relations with Cilicia in Asia Minor, there are grounds for regarding the statement in 2 Chronicles 8:3 that Solomon went to Hamath and took it, as a reliable historical tradition on the reestablishment of control over that kingdom, perhaps after a revolt, since the Chronicler follows this statement with a mention of the fortification of ‘Tadmor in the wilderness.’ (8:4)”

2 Chronicles 2:17, 18 says that Solomon had 153,600 non-Israelite laborers to do the work of building the temple and his palace. These were descendants of the people that Israel did not drive out of the land as Jehovah had told them to. They became slave laborers for use in this building work. Solomon used Israelites as his chief officials to oversee the work.

Solomon now no longer offered sacrifices on the high places as he had done previously. He offered burnt offering, peace offering and incense on the altar that was before Jehovah at the temple three times a year. He organized the priests and Levites just as David had said should be done; he did not change anything.

Solomon also made a trade agreement with Hiram, king of Tyre, whereby they would sponsor a joint venture to build a fleet of ships. Hiram would send his sailors, who were skilled seamen, along with Solomon’s servants to the land of Ophir where they returned with 420 talents or about 16 tons of gold that they brought to Solomon.

2 Chronicles Chapter 9

Solomon’s fame had spread abroad and the Queen of Sheba came to test him with difficult questions. She brought a large caravan consisting of camels carrying spices and gold and precious stone. Solomon was able to satisfy her with answers to whatever questions or problems she presented to him. The NIV Bible Commentary, page 516, says regarding the questions she brought to Solomon: “Hard questions” is generally translated ‘riddles,” which were enigmatic sayings or questions that cloaked a deeper philosophical, practical, or theological truth. They were a favorite sport and a way to test one’s mettle. No doubt the “hard questions” posed by the queen were not frivolous tests of mental quickness but a genuine seeking for truths hidden in some of the enigmatic sayings known to her.”

Afterwards, the Queen of Sheba stated that she had not initially believed what she had been told about Solomon until she personally came and saw and heard for herself his wisdom, wealth, and the splendor of his court. She said that she had been told only half of the story. She believed that all who stood before Solomon were blessed because they would hear his wisdom on a daily basis. She blessed Jehovah the God who had taken delight in him and had made him king over Israel to administer justice and righteousness. She then presented Solomon with gifts from her country, one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a very large amount of spices and precious stones. The amount of spices that she gave to Solomon was never seen again in Israel. The king then gave gifts to her out of his royal bounty and she returned to her own land.

Solomon’s wealth was as legendary as his wisdom. Yearly Solomon’s income was 666 talents of gold (25 tons) and this would not include the tolls that was brought to him by merchants and traders, the tribute paid to him by kings and the taxes that he received from the tribal leaders. Solomon made 200 large shields and 300 smaller ones with the gold and he put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. He made a great ivory throne for himself and he overlaid it with gold and he put two lions on either side of the arms of the throne. There were six steps going up to the throne with a lion on each side of each step, twelve in all. His drinking vessels were all made of gold, as he considered silver as of no value. His trading ships (ships of Tarshish) would return every three years with a valuable cargo of gold, silver, ivory, apes and baboons (or peacocks). All who heard about Solomon’s wisdom wanted an audience with him so that they could talk to him in person. They would also bring articles of gold, silver, garments, weapons, spices, horses, and mules to give to him.

Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots and twelve thousand horses. The horses were imported from Egypt and other countries. In Deuteronomy 17:16, Jehovah had forbidden the kings of Israel to go to Egypt to get more horses, something that Solomon had not heeded.

Solomon reigned over Israel for forty years and he died and was buried in the city of David. His son, Rehoboam, ruled in his place.

2 Chronicles Chapter 10

When Rehoboam traveled to Shechem to have the people (basically the ten tribes) confirm his kingship, leaders of the ten tribes, led by Jeroboam, requested that the king give them some relief from the heavy burden that his father, Solomon, had put on them. (1 Kings 5:13, 14) If he would be willing to do so, then they would serve him. Rehoboam wanted to consult his advisors before he gave them an answer, so he told them to return to him in three days.

The Encyclopedia Judaica, Volume 15, page 104 has this to say about this situation: “The people were embittered not only by the heavy taxation, which was an innovation in the kingdom that had come into being against a background of a lengthy tribal regime, but also by the contrast between the heavy burdens on the one hand and the splendor and luxury of the royal court on the other. Likewise the barrier between Israel and Judah, which enjoyed special privileges, alienated the northern tribes from the Davidic kingdom.”

When he asked the advice of the older men, they told him that the people would respond to him if he spoke kindly to them and they would serve him always. This advice he did not like so he turned to the younger men who grew up with him for their advice. They advised the opposite of what the older men did. Rehoboam was to tell the people who were complaining about the heavy yoke that his father put on them that Solomon’s yoke was very light in comparison to the yoke he was about to put on them.

Three days later when Jeroboam, along with the elders, returned to hear his answer, the king spoke to them harshly and repeated to them what his younger advisors had said, they told him that they had no share in David and were breaking their relationship with Judah. They would manage their affairs on their own. Rehoboam tried to reconcile the ten tribes to himself by sending Adoniram to mediate for him. Adoniram was not the best choice to do this as he was in charge of forced labor and this was one of their complaints. The people were so angry that they stoned Adoniram to death and Rehoboam barely escaped with his life.

2 Chronicles Chapter 11

When Rehoboam returned to Judah, he got together an army with the intent of forcing the ten tribes back under his control. Jehovah sent his prophet to tell Rehoboam not to fight against Israel because He was behind this division. They obeyed Jehovah and did not attack Israel.

Rehoboam then built fortified towns in Judah and Benjamin for defensive purposes putting armed soldiers in these towns. These fortifies cities were built on the eastern, western and southern borders but not on the northern border, the border with Israel. Rehoboam refused to accept the split between Judah and Israel. The priests and Levites were forced to flee to Jerusalem because Jeroboam put idols and shrines in cities in Israel and he put his own priest in charge of them. This may have been one of the means he was using to completely separate Israel from Judah. Since worship of Jehovah as He had prescribed was no longer acceptable in Israel then the Levites would have no means of support. So they left their pasturelands and property and settled in Jerusalem. Many other Israelites continued to come to Jerusalem to worship at the temple because they wanted to be able to worship Jehovah in an acceptable manner and they helped to strengthen Rehoboam’s kingship.

Rehoboam’s first wife, Mahalath, bore him three sons, Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham. Later he married Maacah, a descendant of Absalom, who bore him four sons, Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith. Because he loved Maacah more than any of his wives or concubines, he chose her firstborn son, Abijah, to be his successor. This act was in direct opposition to what the law stated concerning firstborn sons. (See Deuteronomy 21:15-17) He then settled his sons in cities throughout Judah probably appointing them to positions of power and giving them abundant provisions and many wives to ensure that Abijah’s kingship would not be opposed by any of them. In total, Rehoboam had eighteen wives and concubines, twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.

2 Chronicles chapter 12

When Rehoboam became powerful he left the law of Jehovah and Jehovah sent Shishak, king of Egypt, against them. With his army of twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horsemen and innumerable troops, he captured all the fortified cities of Judah. The elders had gathered in Jerusalem to consider what to do about Shishak and Jehovah sent Shemaiah, the prophet, to tell them that since they had abandoned Him, He was now abandoning them to Shishak. The elders then humbled themselves because they knew why Jehovah had taken this position. When Jehovah saw this act, He sent the prophet back to tell them that He would not abandon them completely. But they would become subjects of the king of Egypt to teach them the harsh reality of what life would be like under a king who did not care for them as He did.

When Shishak came into Jerusalem he took all the treasuries of the temple and the royal palace including the gold shields that Solomon had made. Then he left Jerusalem without destroying it. Because Rehoboam humbled himself before Jehovah, He did not bring Jerusalem to ruin. Rehoboam continued as king over Judah and he ruled for seventeen years. When he died he was buried in the City of David and his son, Abijah, succeeded him as king.

2 Chronicles Chapter 13

Abijah became king in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, and he ruled for three years. He waged war against Jeroboam during his reign. When the two kings met, Abijah with a force of four hundred thousand fighting men and Jeroboam with twice as many men, Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in Ephraim and reminded Jeroboam that he was a usurper to the throne. The kingship over all Israel belonged to David and his descendants because of a covenant of salt. Jeroboam had come to fight against Jehovah’s kingdom with his vast army and the gods that he had made. Had not Jeroboam driven the priests of Jehovah out of Israel and consecrated for himself priests of his own choosing to serve at his shrines just as the other nations did? But Judah was serving Jehovah as He had prescribed in His law; they had not forsaken Him. Jehovah would fight for them so he appealed to the men of Israel not to fight against Jehovah, as they would not succeed.

While Abijah was speaking, Jeroboam had set up an ambush against him by sending troops around to the rear of Abijah’s army. When Abijah saw this, he cried out to Jehovah, the priests sounded the trumpets and the men of Judah shouted a battle cry. At the sound of this battle cry Jehovah went into action. He routed Israel before Judah and five hundred thousand of Israel’s army was killed. Israel was subdued because Abijah relied upon Jehovah.

2 Chronicles Chapter 14

The war with Jeroboam was the most significant event of Abijah’s rule and after a three- year reign, he died and was succeeded by his son Asa. During the first ten years of Asa’s rule there was peace; he was not at war with any nation. During this time, Asa sought Jehovah and did what was right in his eyes. He removed the high places, the incense altars, the Asherah poles, the sacred stones and the foreign altars that were in all of the towns of Judah. He even deposed his grandmother, Maacah, beloved wife of Rehoboam, from being queen mother because she had made an Asherah pole. (1 Kings 15:13) He commanded Judah to seek Jehovah and obey his laws and commandments. Because of this, Jehovah gave him rest all around. He also fortified many cities in Judah during this period of time.

Zerah the Cushite came up against Judah with three hundred chariots and a vast army of possibly a million foot soldiers. When Asa drew up before him in battle formation near Mareshah, he prayed to Jehovah beseeching Him to help them as they were powerless against such a large force and they relied upon Him for strength. They had come out against this army in His name and no man should prevail against Him.

Jehovah answered his prayer and He struck the Cushites down and as they fled, Asa’s army pursued them and inflicted so much damage on them that they were crushed. Judah took much plunder not only from the Cushites but they also plundered Gerar and the surrounding towns even plundering the camps of herdsman. Then they returned to Jerusalem.


NOTE: All cited scriptures in this commentary were taken from the New International Version.

***©2005 by YORWW Congregation