Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 11:17
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.
17. three years ] There were three years of prosperity, in the fourth year Judah fell away into idolatry, and in the fifth year chastisement overtook them by the hand of Shishak (2Ch 12:1-3).
of David and Solomon ] The Chronicler here as elsewhere ignores the fall of Solomon. In 1Ki 11:4-6 an express distinction is made between the way of David and the way of Solomon.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Three years – i. e., during the first three years of Rehoboams reign. In the fourth year an apostasy took place, which neutralized all the advantages of the immigration (marginal reference). In the fifth the apostasy was punished by the invasion and success of Shishak 2Ch 12:2.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Ch 11:17
For three years they walked in the way of David.
Experimental goodness
Three years of experimental goodness ought to be three years of personal consolidation. To get three years ahead of the enemy ought to be a great advantage. The doctors say that it takes three years to get drink really out of a man’s system and no man is safe until he has quite passed the line of three years. These critical times in life are the making of life, when they are really seized aright as to their spirit and highest significance. (J. Parks, D. D.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 17. For three years they walked in the way of David] During this time he prospered; but for fourteen years after this he and the people were unfaithful to the Lord, except at such intervals as the hand of God’s judgments was upon them.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This honourable mention of Solomon, as a pattern of piety, is a considerable evidence of his true repentance before his death; of which See Poole “1Ki 11:43“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. they strengthened the kingdom ofJudahThe innovating measures of Jeroboam were not introducedall at once. But as they were developed, the secession of the mostexcellent of his subjects began, and continuing to increase for threeyears, lowered the tone of religion in his kingdom, while itproportionally quickened its life and extended its influence in thatof Judah.
2Ch11:18-23. HIS WIVESAND CHILDREN.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah,…. Made it more numerous, and in a better condition to defend itself:
and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong three years; established him on the throne, strengthened the government in his hands, and were the means of preserving him in the pure worship of God for the space of time mentioned, the reason of which follows:
for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon; in their good ways, which were according to the rule of the divine word; and which, as they refer to the whole of David’s life and reign, some particular actions excepted, so to the former part of Solomon’s reign, before he fell into idolatry, and to the latter part of it after his repentance; for that he did repent is by some concluded from hence, and may be more strongly from the book of Ecclesiastes, written by him in his old age. This is to be understood both of Rehoboam and his people, who after three years forsook the law of the Lord, 2Ch 12:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(17) So they strengthened . . . three yearsi.e., during the first three years of the reign. There is no ground for suspecting the antiquity of this record. On the contrary, it is antecedently probable that the pressure from the north occasioned a proportionally greater earnestness in the religious life of the southern kingdom, and that the former was weakened and the latter strengthened by the migration (Bertheau). This will explain also Jeroboams abstention from molesting his rivals territory. (See Note on 2Ch. 11:10.)
For three years.Literally, for they walked . . . for three years. The reason of the strengthening.
They (i.e., the people of Judah) walked in the way of David and Solomoni.e., served Jehovah according to the system of worship enacted by those monarchs. The countenance which Solomon in his old age gave to foreign religions is here again ignored by the chronicler.
What happened after the three years of faithfulness is told in 2 Chronicles 12. Here follow
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. Three years That is, the kingdom of Judah was strengthened physically and morally by military defenses, and by the resort of the Levites and the purer Israelites to Jerusalem, and continued thus strong for three years. Then began that forsaking of the law (2Ch 12:1) which was punished by Shishak’s invasion.
REHOBOAM’S FAMILY, 2Ch 11:18-23.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ch 11:17. In the way of David and Solomon That is, in the laws, agreeably to the statutes and appointments of David and Solomon.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ch 11:17 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.
Ver. 17. For three years they walked in the ways of David and Solomon, ] viz., Before his fall, and after his repentance: for this passage charitably implieth the repentance of Solomon in his last days, though haply he could not reform all idolatries; as neither could Manasseh: 2Ch 33:18 for it is not likely, saith a good expositor, a that the beginning of Rehoboam’s reign would have been David-like, if Solomon had died, and left the kingdom in so corrupt a condition. Yet some conceive that Solomon is here joined with David, because himself continued incorrupt from idolatry, though he suffered high places to be set up for his wives.
a Mr Jackson.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
three years. See note on 2Ch 12:2. 2Ch 12:1
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
am 3029-3032, bc 975-972
strengthened: 2Ch 12:1
three years: 2Ch 1:1-12, 2Ch 7:17-19, 2Ch 8:13-16, Hos 6:4, Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21
Reciprocal: Jos 22:19 – wherein 2Ch 13:10 – the Lord 2Ch 31:6 – the children
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 11:17. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah Not only by the addition of so many persons to it, who probably brought what they could of their property with them, but by their piety and prayers they procured a blessing upon the kingdom which was a sanctuary to them, Zec 12:5. It is the interest of any nation to protect and encourage religion and religious people, and adds, more than any thing, to its strength. They made him and his people strong three years For so long they walked in the way of David and Solomon Their good way; but when they forsook that, and so threw themselves out of Gods favour and protection, the best friends they had could no longer help to strengthen them. This honourable mention of Solomon, as a pattern of piety, is a considerable evidence of his true repentance before his death.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they {f} walked in the way of David and Solomon.
(f) As long as they feared God, and set forth his word, they prospered.