Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 13:8
And now you think you can resist the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hands of David’s descendants. You are indeed a vast army, and you have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abijah addresses Jeroboam and his assembled forces at the outbreak of their military confrontation. He speaks directly to the rebel king while confronting the legitimacy of his armed opposition.
The words — The Hebrew לְ/הִתְחַזֵּק (le./hit.cha.Zek) literally means "to show yourselves strong" or "to resist." It modifies מַמְלֶ֣כֶת יְהוָ֔ה (mam.Le.khet Yah.weh), which translates directly to "the kingdom of Yahweh."
The thread — The conflict over David’s dynasty and the use of Jeroboam’s golden calves reappear in 1 Kings 12:28, 2 Chronicles 11:15, and 1 Kings 14:9. These passages document the political and religious schism that began when Jeroboam established rival worship centers.
Why it lands — The text states that military numbers and manufactured idols cannot successfully oppose a divinely established authority. It requires the reader to assess allegiance by covenant fidelity rather than by visible power or popular innovation.
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 now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 12:28 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
- 2 Chronicles 11:15 And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made.
- 1 Kings 14:9 You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have proceeded to make for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me, and you have flung Me behind your back.
- 2 Chronicles 9:8 Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God. Because your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, He has made you king over them to carry out justice and righteousness.”
- 2 Chronicles 14:9 Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah.
- 2 Chronicles 20:6 and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.
- 2 Chronicles 20:12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
- Psalms 33:16 No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.
- Isaiah 7:6 ‘Let us invade Judah, terrorize it, and divide it among ourselves. Then we can install the son of Tabeal over it as king.’