Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 11:23
Rehoboam also acted wisely by dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and sought many wives for them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Rehoboam’s administrative and dynastic decisions immediately after designating Abijah as chief prince with succession intent. This occurs during the early consolidation of his rule over Judah and Benjamin.
The words — The Hebrew וַיִּבֶן (va-yi-vhen) literally means "he built" or "he acted wisely," while וַיִּפְרֹץ (va-yi-protz) means "he scattered" or "he distributed." These verbs structure the verse’s description of moving royal sons into fortified districts.
The thread — The practice of dispersing sons and assigning provisions parallels Abraham’s treatment of concubine sons in Genesis 25:6. The chronicler places this policy alongside Rehoboam’s earlier dismissal of elder counsel in 2 Chronicles 10:8 and the rival succession claims of 1 Kings 1:5.
Why it lands — The text documents a calculated strategy to secure territorial control and branch-line succession through resource allocation and marriage alliances. It requires the reader to note how royal policy directly shapes tribal loyalty and dynastic stability without prescribing moral approval.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 25:6 But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.
- 1 Kings 1:5 At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.
- 2 Chronicles 10:8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.
- 2 Chronicles 21:3 Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and precious things, as well as the fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.
- Luke 16:8 The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.