2 Chronicles 11: 1 – 23
Calm down a fight, flight, or freeze reaction
11 Now when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled from the house of Judah and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. 2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3 “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 ‘Thus says the LORD: “You shall not go up or fight against your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.” Therefore, they obeyed the words of the LORD, and turned back from attacking Jeroboam. 5 So Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah. 6 And he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, 7 Beth Zur, Sochoh, Adullam, 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, 10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and Benjamin, fortified cities. 11 And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of food, oil, and wine. 12 Also in every city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side. 13 And from all their territories the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel took their stand with him. 14 For the Levites left their common-lands and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving as priests to the LORD. 15 Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made. 16 And after the Levites left, those from all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the LORD God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers. 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years. 18 Then Rehoboam took for himself as wife Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliah the son of Jesse. 19 And she bore him children: Jeush, Shamariah, and Zaham. 20 After her he took Maachah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 Now Rehoboam loved Maachah the granddaughter of Absalom more than all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines and begot twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. 22 And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maachah as chief, to be leader among his brothers; for he intended to make him king. 23 He dealt wisely and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the territories of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city; and he gave them provisions in abundance. He also sought many wives for them.
When we become threatened, we experience a surge of chemicals designed to allow us to survive through whatever the event is. The physiological effects are increased adrenaline, acceleration of heart and lung action, shaking, dilation of pupils and more. Cortisol, known as the “stress hormone,” is an integral part of our body’s “fight, flight or freeze” response. The fight, flight or freeze response is essentially a state of acute stress. While stress is usually seen as a negative, it is beneficial if we need the surge of chemicals to help us fight, flight or freeze to avoid danger. However, it is only useful in short bursts. Many of us get caught in this perpetual state, never releasing it from our system and returning to normal, or homeostasis.
In fact, living in this kind of biological survival state can make us more vulnerable to common physical ailments that are related to or triggered by stress: cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
How can we correct the ‘Fight, Flight or Freeze’ reaction?
Animals in the wilderness shake, tremble, run, or do other physical activities to discharge the effect of these stress chemicals on their body. The natural human tendency is to do this too. But, we are often told (by ourselves or others) to ‘calm down,’ ‘get it together,’ ‘stop being so sensitive,’ and ‘be a big boy/girl and suck it up,’ ‘just stop for a moment and breathe.”
When we purge the survival chemicals after a trauma, it shows our primitive brain that we survived, and we are safe. This sends a signal to the cognitive brain to process the information and throw out the irrelevant associations related to it. Facing and surviving a trauma, if discharged in a healthy way, can help us feel more empowered and able to handle things in the future. It can create a sense of security even.
If we don’t discharge the trauma though through anger or another emotion, we freeze. We are in a very vulnerable position.
Today we are going to learn a lot more regarding what happened when Rehoboam tried to be a tough guy and found out that he was messing with the wrong group. The messenger he had sent to put the rebellious Israelites back in their places was stoned to death. He knew that he was next. This spoiled son of Solomon had never faced off with I am sure any fear. His adrenalin was at its peak, so he fled back to his safe spot, his palace back in Jerusalem.
Back in the safety of his palace Rehoboam turns to anger at what had just happened. His anger soars and he want revenge on these indignant and murderous rebels. Our Majestic and Holy Ruler God steps in to alleviate a civil war.
11 Now when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled from the house of Judah and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.
On his return to Jerusalem the infuriated Rehoboam brought together all the armed forces that he could spare from defense of the realm with the aim of bringing Israel into line. This consisted of a large force gathered from Judah and Benjamin which made up one hundred and eighty thousands fighting men, and his aim was to bring the house of Israel back under his control by force of arms.
How dared these Israelites defy him? They would soon learn that they were not dealing with someone who could be defied. He gave no thought to what the real situation was, for Israel would be far more numerous than Judah, and while they might not be as well trained as Rehoboam’s standing army, they would be fighting for their lives. The consequence of his action would be a civil war resulting in huge bloodshed and the end of the power base of both parts of once united Israel.
2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3 “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 ‘Thus says the LORD: “You shall not go up or fight against your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.” Therefore, they obeyed the words of the LORD, and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.
Our Great and Holy God YHWH was not prepared to stand back and watch Israel/Judah tear itself apart in civil war. The term ‘man of God’ indicates a prophet who was true to YHWH, independently minded because he only listened to YHWH, and was mainly non-political. Shemaiah was a prophet connected with Jerusalem in contrast with Ahijah who seems to have been a prophet connected with Shiloh. Thus, God had His true prophets operating throughout Judah and Israel in different places, unknown and unsung until the time came for them to speak openly in the name of YHWH. But we need not doubt that they were constantly proclaiming the word of YHWH to all who would hear it, and especially to those who came to them to be taught. This was what kept the faith of Israel alive. Amidst all that happened our Faithful and Merciful Ever Living God YHWH was continually at work maintaining a true remnant in Israel.
The word of Adoni YHWH God was simple. It was to the effect that they were not to fight against their brothers, because what had happened had been YHWH’s doing. They were therefore to accept it as the will of YHWH. Like Israel had done they were to return every man to his house.
Please take note already of the reference to Rehoboam as ‘king of Judah’. This was now what he was in YHWH’s eyes. He was no longer king over Israel. The overall constitution of the new kingdom is then recognized in the further description, ‘all the house of Judah, and Benjamin, and the rest of the people’ tying in with what we have seen above.
It would have been a brave and foolhardy man indeed who would have gone out to fight in direct defiance of the word of YHWH, for all knew from their history what YHWH, the Lord of Hosts, could do to those who acted in disobedience to His command. It was well written in their history records.
Also, he was probably also aware through his spies that Shishak in Egypt was considering the possibility of a military expedition in Palestine, something which would only be encouraged by a civil war (it came anyway five years later). The arrogant king was therefore forced to cower before the word of the prophet. Our Holy God YHWH’s Word was a power that he could not fight against. And he probably knew that once the prophet’s word was known his people would be divided. Few would want to go against the word of YHWH. For they still saw YHWH as their Supreme Lord God, and they would consider the prophecy as indicating that they would be doomed to failure.
5 So Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah. 6 And he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, 7 Beth Zur, Sochoh, Adullam, 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, 10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and Benjamin, fortified cities. 11 And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of food, oil, and wine. 12 Also in every city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
Realizing that Judah had become vulnerable because of the collapse of the empire, and that danger threatened from Egypt, and possibly Edom, Rehoboam fortified or strengthened the fortifications of Judean cities in the hill country to the south, and in the west of Jerusalem. He was apparently satisfied that Israel posed no direct threat in the short term. They would be too busy looking to their own defenses. Rehoboam was desperately trying to defend Jerusalem, even fortifying ‘cities’ within ten miles of it, and giving up on the Negeb which he had no hope of defending.
‘Built’ means ‘made stronger, fortified, refortified’. All these cities listed here already existed.
These urgent activities probably had in mind a possible invasion from Egypt, although it is more likely that he hoped to curb any Philistine or Edomite threat. The consequence of all this activity was that ‘the kingdom was established, and Rehoboam became strong’ (12.1), that is, within his limited sphere. The work would be hurriedly carried out to make Judah safe, but it would prove to be in vain as far as Egypt was concerned.
The empire was lost. Now only Judah and Benjamin belonged to him. Through his own foolishness that was all he was left with. If only he had been willing to listen to wise advice, how different things would have been. The entire nation would have belonged to him, even if it was fraying at the edges. But it was too late. He had done what he had done.
The activities of Jeroboam in Israel, as he sought to counter the influence of the Jerusalem Temple and the influence of legitimate priests, had the consequence of a wholesale exodus to Judah of all the priests and Levites in Israel, together with a large number of godly worshippers of YHWH. This boosted the spiritual state of Judah as there was a spiritual revival movement in Judah.
13 And from all their territories the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel took their stand with him. 14 For the Levites left their common-lands and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving as priests to the LORD.
Because of Jeroboam appointing his own priests who did not owe a loyalty to the Jerusalem Temple, the legitimate priests and Levites who were settled in Israel left their own cities and lands and resorted to Rehoboam. They recognized that there was no future for them in Israel.
And the reason for this was that Jeroboam cast them off, not allowing them to execute the priest’s office to YHWH in Israel, even if they had been willing to do so.. They thus left their suburbs and possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem. Such a sacrifice of what they owned would necessarily have made them examine their hearts closely as they faced up to their decision and could only have been for their spiritual good. There is nothing like being called on to make a sacrifice of physical wealth for YHWH’s sake, to bolster spirituality. The unspiritual would have refused and have kept their own possessions and possibly the possessions of the ‘deserters’.
As Rehoboam would in Judah (11.23) Jeroboam had appointed his sons to important positions in Israel, and they had gone along with him in his decision. Jeroboam’s heart had clearly been influenced by his stay in Egypt.
15 Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made.
Instead of using the legitimate priesthood, who would probably not have gone along fully with him in his ideas, Jeroboam appointed for himself priests who would do his bidding. These would operate at the high place, which would include, but would not be limited to, Bethel and Dan. Worship at the high places (ancient religious sites, often on the mountains), had illegitimately taken place throughout Israel and Judah during the reign of Solomon (1 Kings 11.33), and this Jeroboam now encouraged in the form of sacrificing at them he-goats. At the same time, he made Bethel and Dan special Sanctuaries and set up at them golden calves. It is quite possible that underlying it he intended the worship of YHWH to continue, but in a debased form (the calves may have been intended to be bearers of the invisible YHWH, similar to the cherubim, an idea confirmed by other religions showing their gods as riding on bulls and calves). but it would soon lead to open apostasy and worship of Baal and Asherah. Alternately ‘the he-goats’ might indicate idols in their own right, a religion derived from Egypt, and carried on by many in secret (Leviticus 17.7), but now made legitimate by Jeroboam.
16 And after the Levites left, those from all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the LORD God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD God of their fathers.
As well as the priests and Levites moving to Judah, to take their part in the worship of the true Sanctuary, there came a host of godly Israelites who ‘set their hearts to seek YHWH’, and presumably gave up their land and possessions, apart from what they were able to transport, so as to be able to worship in Jerusalem, and offer true sacrifices to YHWH the god of their fathers. Thus, there came into Judah and Jerusalem an influx of godly people willing to make personal sacrifices in order to worship the only true God.
17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.
Such an influx of godly people into Judah raised spiritual and moral standards, and would no doubt affect Rehoboam. He would certainly see their coming as a boost to his kingship. And their very numbers would also increase his fighting strength. So, they ‘strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam’s heart strong’.
The positive result of their arrival was that for about ‘three years’, Rehoboam and Judah were so enthused that they walked in the ways of David and Solomon when at their best. But it would not last long. Men soon slipped back into their old ways of nominal allegiance to Yahweh, false religion, and covenant disobedience (1 Kings 14.22).
18 Then Rehoboam took for himself as wife Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliah the son of Jesse. 19 And she bore him children: Jeush, Shamariah, and Zaham. 20 After her he took Maachah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 Now Rehoboam loved Maachah the granddaughter of Absalom more than all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines and begot twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. 22 And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maachah as chief, to be leader among his brothers; for he intended to make him king. 23 He dealt wisely and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the territories of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city; and he gave them provisions in abundance. He also sought many wives for them.
In the book of Deuteronomy 17.17 our Holy God gave instruction regarding rulers in His Kingdom, “17 Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.”
Rehoboam was careful in his choice and chose wives from the house of David but then he lost restraint and took many wives, some of whom would have been foreign princesses. It was a mirror image of his reign, commencing well (after his aberration in his dealings with northern Israel), and then sinking into depravity.
Having many wives resulted in that he had many sons, and these he appointed as governors over the fortified cities of Judah, thus ensuring the citizens obedience and loyalty. It also prevented his sons from squabbling at court. Out of his sons he chose Abijah to succeed him, because of his natural abilities, and probably appointed him as regent, and kept him at court and also no doubt, once he was of age, Asa who was Abijah’s son, so as to ensure the succession.
No doubt Solomon greatly influenced the choice of his first wife, as a preparation for his becoming king. Her name was Mahalath. Her father was Jerimoth, the son of David, and her mother was Abihail, the daughter of David’s brother Eliab. Jerimoth is not named elsewhere, possibly because he was the son of a concubine, or possibly because he had two names.
Three sons were born to the marriage, named Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham. Three is the number of completeness and was an indication of God’s blessing on Rehoboam in his early days. These, assuming they survived childhood, became governors of fortified cities.
The second wife that he took was Maacah, the daughter of Absalom. There is good reason for seeing this last as referring to David’s son Absalom, with Maacah being his granddaughter as the daughter of Tamar through her marriage to Uriel of Gibeah (13.2). It would tie in with his aim to underline that he was the son of David. She bore him four sons, named Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.’ Together with the three sons of Mahalath this made seven sons, the number of divine perfections. At his stage Rehoboam was blessed indeed. Both these marriages presumably took place while Solomon reigned.
We now learn that Rehoboam loved Maacah more than all his other wives and concubines. She was the king’s favorite wife. She had probably inherited Tamar’s beauty (2 Samuel 14.27).
Rehoboam then took a further sixteen wives, together with sixty concubines, and between them they bore him twenty-one sons. God’s blessing on Rehoboam had dwindled. From a worldly standard such marriages built up alliances with powerful families, but the world’s way and God’s way do not mesh. The way of the world prevailed over the will of God.
Having so many sons who were loyal to him he dealt with them wisely, dispersing them among the fortified cities of Judah, and providing them with a surplus of provisions. This assured the loyalty of those cities. It also gave his sons something worthwhile to do. And he sought to ensure their wellbeing by finding for them many wives from powerful families who would increase their status as we witnessed the same thing happening today.
