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2 Chronicles 12:14

And Rehoboam did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD.
2 Chronicles 12:14 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB He did that which was evil, because he didn’t set his heart to seek Yahweh.
  • KJV And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
  • NKJV And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord.
  • NASB But he did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.
  • NLT But he was an evil king, for he did not seek the Lord with all his heart.

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 did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD. The root of his failure was an undevoted heart.

Overview

The Chronicler diagnoses Rehoboam's sin at its source: he 'did not set his heart to seek the LORD.' Evil flowed from a heart not fixed on God, not merely from outward circumstance. This verse underscores the Chronicler's central call to wholehearted seeking of God, the very devotion fulfilled and enabled by Christ, who gives his people new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26).

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 16

  • 2 Chr 19:3However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”
  • Isa 55:6–7Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
  • Isa 45:19I have not spoken in secret, from a place in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a wasteland.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I say what is right.
  • Ezek 33:31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
  • 1 Cor 16:13Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
  • 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
  • 2 Chr 11:16Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
  • Ps 78:37Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.
  • Ps 105:3–4Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
  • 2 Chr 30:19who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.”
  • Ps 78:8Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
  • Matt 7:7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
  • 1 Sam 7:3Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
  • Deut 5:29If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever.
  • 1 Chr 29:18O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire forever in the intentions of the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.
  • Ps 57:7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (2)

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Commentaries & study tools

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 12:14 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

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.