Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 12:14
And Rehoboam did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler concludes the narrative of Rehoboam’s seventeen-year reign in Jerusalem after recording his submission to Shishak and the ensuing peace with Jeroboam. The assessment is delivered as a historical summary rather than a prophetic oracle.
The words — The Hebrew לֹא הֵכִין לִבּ/וֹ לִ/דְר֖וֹשׁ (lo he.Khin li.B/o li/d.Ro.osh) literally translates as "he did not direct his heart to seek." This verbal construction specifies a deliberate inward failure to pursue divine authority, which the text presents as the direct cause of his evil conduct.
The thread — The same internal/external dynamic appears in 2 Chronicles 19:3, where Jehoshaphat is noted for setting his heart on seeking God, and in Isaiah 55:6, which issues a command to seek the Lord while He may be found. The narrative consistently ties covenantal faithfulness to the orientation of the heart rather than mere ritual observance.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to identify whether their actions originate from a conscious pursuit of God or from autonomous decision-making. It demands that internal focus be corrected before external behavior can be evaluated as righteous or evil.
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 did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 19:3 However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”
- Isaiah 45:19 I 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.
- Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
- Ezekiel 33:31 So 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 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, 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.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
- 2 Chronicles 11:16 Those 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.
- 2 Chronicles 30:19 who 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.”
- Psalms 78:8 Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
- Psalms 78:37 Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.