Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 11:20
After her, he married Maacah daughter of Absalom, and she bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records Rehoboam’s domestic arrangements during the early phase of his reign, immediately following the birth record of his first wife. The narrative shifts focus to document another royal marriage and its offspring.
The words — The text employs לָקַח (la.Kach, “he took”) to denote the marriage act and וַתֵּלֶד (va.Teled, “and she bore”) to record the four sons. These terms operate as standard historical markers for royal union and lineage without additional theological commentary.
The thread — This passage links to 2 Chronicles 13:2, which identifies Abijah’s mother as Micaiah daughter of Uriel, and to 1 Kings 15:1, which notes Abijam’s accession to the throne. The Chronicler further expands on Maacah’s status in 2 Chronicles 11:21, stating Rehoboam’s preference for her and listing his total number of wives, concubines, and children.
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to acknowledge how royal marriages generate the next ruling generation and secure political alliances. It establishes the genealogical foundation for Abijah’s reign while presenting polygamy as a documented historical reality rather than a prescribed model.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 13:2 and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
- 1 Kings 15:1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah,
- 2 Chronicles 11:21 Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he was the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.
- 2 Chronicles 12:16 And Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Abijah reigned in his place.
- Matthew 1:7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.