2 Chronicles 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

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◄ 2 Chronicles 11:17 ►

New International Version
They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon three years, following the ways of David and Solomon during this time.

New Living Translation
This strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they supported Rehoboam son of Solomon, for during those years they faithfully followed in the footsteps of David and Solomon.

English Standard Version
They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they made Rehoboam the son of Solomon secure, for they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Berean Standard Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

King James Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

NASB 1995
They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

NASB 1977
And they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

Legacy Standard Bible
They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and gave courage to Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years, for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

Amplified Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam the son of Solomon for three years; for they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

Christian Standard Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked in the ways of David and Solomon for three years.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

American Standard Version
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Contemporary English Version
For the next three years, they lived in Judah and were loyal to Rehoboam and his kingdom, just as they had been loyal to David and Solomon.

English Revised Version
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah by supporting Rehoboam, son of Solomon, for three years. During [those] three years they lived the way David and Solomon had lived.

Good News Translation
This strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they supported Rehoboam son of Solomon and lived as they had under the rule of King David and King Solomon.

International Standard Version
and they continued to strengthen the kingdom of Judah, supporting Solomon's son Rehoboam for three years, by living the way David and Solomon did for three years.

Majority Standard Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

NET Bible
They supported the kingdom of Judah and were loyal to Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years; they followed the edicts of David and Solomon for three years.

New Heart English Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Webster's Bible Translation
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

World English Bible
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
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.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will strengthen the kingdom of Judah, and make firm Rehoboam son of Solomon, for three years: for they went in the way of David and Solomon for three years.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they strengthened the kingdom of Juda, and established Roboam the son of Solomon for three years: for they walked in the ways of David and of Solomon, only three years.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and they confirmed Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, for three years. For they walked in the ways of David and of Solomon, but only for three years.

New American Bible
Thus they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam, son of Solomon, prevail for three years; for they walked in the way of David and Solomon three years.

New Revised Standard Version
They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they made Rehoboam son of Solomon secure, for they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But you have done evil above all kings who were before you; for you have gone and made for yourself idols of the nations, and images to blaspheme before me, and have cast my worship behind your back.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you have done evil, doing more than all Kings who were before you, and you have gone, you have made for yourself idols of the nations and images to commit blasphemy before me, and my worship you have cast behind your back.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they strengthened the kingdom of Juda; and Juda strengthened Roboam the son of Solomon for three years, for he walked three years in the ways of David and Solomon.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jeroboam Forsakes the Priests and Levites
…16Those 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. 17So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 14:21
Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.

1 Kings 12:17-19
but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. / So to this day Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David.

2 Chronicles 12:1
After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he and all Israel with him forsook the Law of the LORD.

1 Kings 11:13
Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

1 Kings 11:36
I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.

1 Kings 15:4
Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong.

2 Chronicles 10:17
but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.

2 Chronicles 12:13
Thus King Rehoboam established himself in Jerusalem and reigned. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.

2 Chronicles 13:1-2
In the eighteenth year of Jeroboam’s reign, Abijah became king of Judah, / and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 15:17
The high places were not removed from Israel, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted all his days.

2 Chronicles 17:1-4
Asa’s son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel. / He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured. / Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, ...

2 Chronicles 21:7
Yet the LORD was unwilling to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant He had made with David, and since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.

Matthew 1:7
Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.

Matthew 1:10
Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,

Matthew 1:17
In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

Treasury of Scripture

So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

2 Chronicles 12:1
And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

three years

2 Chronicles 1:12
Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

2 Chronicles 7:17-19
And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; …

2 Chronicles 8:13-16
Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles…

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2 Chronicles 11

1. Rehoboam raising an army to subdue Israel, is forbidden by Shemaiah
5. He strengthens his kingdom with forts and provisions
13. The priests and Levites, and such as feared God, forsaken by Jeroboam,
17. strengthen the kingdom of Judah
18. The wives and children of Rehoboam

Berean Study Bible

So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah
The phrase "strengthened the kingdom of Judah" indicates a period of consolidation and fortification. The Hebrew root for "strengthened" is "חָזַק" (chazaq), which means to be strong, courageous, or firm. This suggests a deliberate effort to fortify the political and spiritual state of Judah. Historically, this was a time when the kingdom was vulnerable after the division of Israel, and the strengthening implies both military and spiritual fortification, ensuring stability and continuity in the face of potential threats.

and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon
The word "supported" comes from the Hebrew "סָמַךְ" (samak), meaning to lean upon or uphold. This implies a conscious decision by the people to uphold Rehoboam's rule, despite his earlier mistakes that led to the division of the kingdom. Rehoboam, being the son of Solomon, carried the legacy of Davidic kingship, which was significant in maintaining the divine promise to David. This support was crucial for Rehoboam to establish his authority and legitimacy as king.

for three years
The specific mention of "three years" highlights a defined period of faithfulness and stability. Biblically, the number three often signifies completeness or divine perfection. During these three years, Judah experienced a time of peace and adherence to the ways of their forefathers, which was essential for laying a foundation for future governance. This period can be seen as a grace period where the kingdom was given time to realign with God's covenant.

because they walked in the way of David and Solomon
"Walked in the way" is a Hebrew idiom that means to follow a particular lifestyle or set of principles. The reference to "David and Solomon" is significant because it points to a return to the covenantal faithfulness and wisdom that characterized their reigns. David is often seen as the ideal king, a man after God's own heart, and Solomon, despite his later failings, was renowned for his wisdom. This phrase suggests a return to the foundational values of worship, justice, and wisdom that were central to their rule.

during this time
The phrase "during this time" underscores the temporality and conditional nature of their faithfulness. It implies that this period of adherence to the ways of David and Solomon was not permanent, foreshadowing future challenges. Historically, this serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of Israel's faithfulness and apostasy. It calls believers to recognize the importance of continual faithfulness and the dangers of complacency in spiritual matters.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) So they strengthened . . . three years--i.e., during the first three years of the reign. "There is no ground for suspecting the antiquity of this record. On the contrary, it is antecedently probable that the pressure from the north occasioned a proportionally greater earnestness in the religious life of the southern kingdom, and that the former was weakened and the latter strengthened by the migration" (Bertheau). This will explain also Jeroboam's abstention from molesting his rival's territory. (See Note on 2Chronicles 11:10.)

For three years.--Literally, for they walked . . . for three years. The reason of the strengthening.

They (i.e., the people of Judah) walked in the way of David and Solomon--i.e., served Jehovah according to the system of worship enacted by those monarchs. The countenance which Solomon in his old age gave to foreign religions is here again ignored by the chronicler.

What happened after the three years of faithfulness is told in 2 Chronicles 12. Here follow

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - Strengthened... three years. "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but," etc. (Proverbs 14:34; Isaiah 33:6). The sad knell is sounded all too soon; see first verso of next chapter. Three years' strength will soon become weakness, and three years' goodness will save no soul.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So they strengthened
וַֽיְחַזְּקוּ֙ (way·ḥaz·zə·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

the kingdom
מַלְכ֣וּת (mal·ḵūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and supported
וַֽיְאַמְּצ֛וּ (way·’am·mə·ṣū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 553: To be stout, strong, bold, alert

Rehoboam
רְחַבְעָ֥ם (rə·ḥaḇ·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7346: Rehoboam -- 'a people are enlarged', a king of Judah

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

for three
שָׁל֑וֹשׁ (šā·lō·wōš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

years,
לְשָׁנִ֣ים (lə·šā·nîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they walked
הָֽלְכ֗וּ (hā·lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

for three
שָׁלֽוֹשׁ׃ (šā·lō·wōš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

years
לְשָׁנִ֥ים (lə·šā·nîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

in the way
בְּדֶ֧רֶךְ (bə·ḏe·reḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

of David
דָּוִ֛יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and Solomon.
וּשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה (ū·šə·lō·mōh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

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OT History: 2 Chronicles 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)