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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834], at sacred-texts.com


2 Chronicles Chapter 12

2 Chronicles

ch2 12:0

This chapter runs parallel with Kings (see the marginal reference), but considerably enlarges the narrative.

2 Chronicles 12:1

ch2 12:1

All Israel with him - i. e., "all Judah and Benjamin" - all the Israelites of those two tribes.

2 Chronicles 12:2

ch2 12:2

Shishak ... came up ... because they had transgressed - The writer speaks from a divine, not a human, point of view. Shishak's motive in coming up was to help Jeroboam, and to extend his own influence.

2 Chronicles 12:3

ch2 12:3

twelve hundred chariots - This number is not unusnal (compare Exo 14:7; Kg1 10:26). Benhadad brought 1,200 chariots into the field against Shalmaneser II; and Ahabhad at the same time a force of 2,000 chariots (compare the Kg1 20:1 note).

The Lubims or "Libyans" Dan 11:43, were a people of Africa, distinct from the Egyptians and the Ethiopians dwelling in their immediate neighborhood. They were called Ribu or Libu by the Egyptians. See Gen 10:13.

Sukkiims - This name does not occur elsewhere. The Septuagint, who rendered the word "Troglodytes," regarded the Sukkiim probably as the "cave-dwellers" along the western shore of the Red Sea; but the conjecture that the word means "tent-dwellers" is plausible, and would point rather to a tribe of Arahs (Scenitae).

2 Chronicles 12:4

ch2 12:4

See 1 the Kings 14:25 note.

2 Chronicles 12:6

ch2 12:6

They said, The Lord is righteous - i. e., they acknowledged the justice of the sentence which had gone forth against them Ch2 12:5.

2 Chronicles 12:7

ch2 12:7

Compare the repentance of Ahab (marginal reference) and that of the Ninevites Jon 3:5-10 which produced similar revocations of divine decrees that had been pronounced by the mouth of a prophet.

Some deliverance - Rather, "deliverance for a short space" (see the margin). Because of the repentance, the threat cf immediate destruction was withdrawn; but the menace was still left impending, that the people might be the more moved to contrition and amendment.

2 Chronicles 12:8

ch2 12:8

That they may know my service, and the service of the kingdom - i. e., that they may contrast the light burthen of the theocracy with the heavy yoke of a foreign monarch.

2 Chronicles 12:14

ch2 12:14

He prepared not his heart ... - See the margin. Rehoboam's sin was want of earnestness and consistency.


Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 13