13 And the priests, and the Levites, that 'are' in all Israel, have stationed themselves by him, out of all their border, 14 for the Levites have left their suburbs and their possession, and they come to Judah and to Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons have cast them off from acting as priests to Jehovah, 15 and he establisheth to him priests for high places, and for goats, and for calves, that he made— 16 and after them, out of all the tribes of Israel, those giving their heart to seek Jehovah, God of Israel, have come in to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Jehovah, God of their father. 17 And they strengthen the kingdom of Judah, and strengthen Rehoboam son of Solomon, for three years, because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years. 18 And Rehoboam taketh to him a wife, Mahalath, child of Jerimoth son of David, 'and' Abigail daughter of Eliab, son of Jesse. 19 And she beareth to him sons, Jeush, and Shamaria, and Zaham. 20 And after her he hath taken Maachah daughter of Absalom, and she beareth to him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 And Rehoboam loveth Maachah daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines—for eighteen wives he hath taken, and sixty concubines—and he begetteth twenty and eight sons, and sixty daughters. 22 And Rehoboam appointeth for head Abijah son of Maachah, for leader among his brethren, for to cause him to reign. 23 And he hath understanding, and spreadeth out of all his sons to all lands of Judah and Benjamin, to all cities of the bulwarks, and giveth to them provision in abundance; and he asketh a multitude of wives.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 11:13-23
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 11:13-23
(Read 2 Chronicles 11:13-23)
When the priests and Levites came to Jerusalem, the devout, pious Israelites followed them. Such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel, left the inheritance of their fathers, and went to Jerusalem, that they might have free access to the altar of God, and be out of the temptation to worship the calves. That is best for us, which is best for our souls; in all our choices, religious advantages must be sought before all outward conveniences. Where God's faithful priests are, his faithful people should be. And when it has been proved that we are willing to renounce our worldly interests, so far as we are called to do so for the sake of Christ and his gospel, we have good evidence that we are truly his disciples. And it is the interest of a nation to protect religion and religious people.