And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
Parallel translations
- WEB Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.
- BSB Rehoboam continued to live in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah.
- NKJV So Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.
- NASB Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah.
- NLT Rehoboam remained in Jerusalem and fortified various towns for the defense of Judah.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Rehoboam settles in Jerusalem and builds fortified cities throughout Judah. He turns to securing the kingdom he still holds.
Overview
Rather than pursuing war against Israel, Rehoboam strengthens his defenses at home. This building program reflects a season of relative wisdom and stability in his reign. The Chronicler presents it as evidence of God's blessing during the years Judah walked faithfully (vv. 16-17).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 2 Chr 8:2–6That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.
- 2 Chr 17:12And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
- 2 Chr 26:6And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
- 2 Chr 16:6Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
- 2 Chr 14:6–7And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
- 2 Chr 11:23And 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.
- 2 Chr 27:4Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
- Isa 22:8–11And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
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Christ at the center
Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 11:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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