2 Chronicles 11:23
New International Version
He acted wisely, dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and took many wives for them.

New Living Translation
Rehoboam also wisely gave responsibilities to his other sons and stationed some of them in the fortified towns throughout the land of Judah and Benjamin. He provided them with generous provisions, and he found many wives for them.

English Standard Version
And he dealt wisely and distributed some of his sons through all the districts of Judah and Benjamin, in all the fortified cities, and he gave them abundant provisions and procured wives for them.

Berean Standard Bible
Rehoboam also acted wisely by dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and sought many wives for them.

King James Bible
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
He acted wisely and distributed some of his sons through all the territories of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities, and he gave them plenty of provisions. And he sought many wives for them.

NASB 1995
He acted wisely and distributed some of his sons through all the territories of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities, and he gave them food in abundance. And he sought many wives for them.

NASB 1977
And he acted wisely and distributed some of his sons through all the territories of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities, and he gave them food in abundance. And he sought many wives for them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he acted with discernment and distributed some of his sons through all the lands of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities, and he gave them sustenance in abundance. And he sought a multitude of wives for them.

Amplified Bible
He acted wisely and distributed some of his sons throughout the territories of Judah and Benjamin to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions, and he sought many wives for them.

Christian Standard Bible
Rehoboam also showed discernment by dispersing some of his sons to all the regions of Judah and Benjamin and to all the fortified cities. He gave them plenty of provisions and sought many wives for them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Rehoboam also showed discernment by dispersing some of his sons to all the regions of Judah and Benjamin and to all the fortified cities. He gave them plenty of provisions and sought many wives for them.

American Standard Version
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fortified city: and he gave them victuals in abundance. And he sought for them many wives.

Contemporary English Version
Rehoboam was wise enough to put one of his sons in charge of each fortified city in his kingdom. He gave them all the supplies they needed and found wives for every one of them.

English Revised Version
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he sought for them many wives.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He wisely placed his sons in every region of Judah and Benjamin, in every fortified city. He gave them allowances and obtained many wives for them.

Good News Translation
Rehoboam wisely assigned responsibilities to his sons and stationed them throughout Judah and Benjamin in the fortified cities. He provided generously for them and also secured many wives for them.

International Standard Version
Rehoboam was wise to distribute some his children throughout all of the territories of Judah and Benjamin, placing them in all of the fortified cities. He allotted them abundant supplies of food and sought many wives for them.

Majority Standard Bible
Rehoboam also acted wisely by dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and sought many wives for them.

NET Bible
He wisely placed some of his many sons throughout the regions of Judah and Benjamin in the various fortified cities. He supplied them with abundant provisions and acquired many wives for them.

New Heart English Bible
He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them food in abundance. He sought for them many wives.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them provisions in abundance. And he desired many wives.

World English Bible
He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance; and he sought many wives for them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he has understanding, and disperses from all his sons to all lands of Judah and Benjamin, to all cities of the bulwarks, and gives provision in abundance to them; and he asks for a multitude of wives [for them].

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will understand, and he will spread from all his sons to all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to all the cities of fortifications: and he will give to them food for multitude. And he will ask for a multitude of wives.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because he was wiser and mightier than all his sons, and in all the countries of Juda, and of Benjamin, and in all the walled cities: and he gave them provisions in abundance, and he sought many wives.

Catholic Public Domain Version
since he was wiser and more powerful than all his sons, even in all the regions of Judah and Benjamin, and in all the fortified cities. And he provided them with very much food, and he sought many wives.

New American Bible
He acted prudently, distributing his various sons throughout all the districts of Judah and Benjamin, in all the fortified cities; and he gave them generous provisions and sought an abundance of wives for them.

New Revised Standard Version
He dealt wisely, and distributed some of his sons through all the districts of Judah and Benjamin, in all the fortified cities; he gave them abundant provisions, and found many wives for them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed all of his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin unto every fortified city; and he gave them food in abundance. And he desired many wives.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fortified city; and he gave them victual in abundance. And he sought for them many wives.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he was exalted beyond all his other sons in all the coasts of Juda and Benjamin, and in the strong cities; and he gave them provisions in great abundance: and he desired many wives.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rehoboam's Family
22Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maacah as chief prince among his brothers, intending to make him king. 23Rehoboam also acted wisely by dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and sought many wives for them.

Cross References
1 Kings 12:1-24
Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. / When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he was still in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since. / So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said, ...

1 Kings 11:1-13
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ...

1 Kings 11:26-40
Now Jeroboam son of Nebat was an Ephraimite from Zeredah whose mother was a widow named Zeruah. Jeroboam was a servant of Solomon, but he rebelled against the king, / and this is the account of his rebellion against the king. Solomon had built the supporting terraces and repaired the gap in the wall of the city of his father David. / Now Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. So when Solomon noticed that the young man was industrious, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph. ...

1 Kings 14:21-31
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. / And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and by the sins they committed they provoked Him to jealous anger more than all their fathers had done. / They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. ...

2 Chronicles 10:1-19
Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. / When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he returned from Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon. / So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel came to Rehoboam and said, ...

2 Chronicles 12:1-16
After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he and all Israel with him forsook the Law of the LORD. / In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem / with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites. ...

2 Chronicles 13:1-22
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. / Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor. ...

1 Samuel 8:1-22
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. ...

1 Samuel 10:17-25
After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah / and said to the Israelites, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hands of the Egyptians and of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ / But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” ...

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” / “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ / Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.” ...

1 Samuel 18:17-30
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” / And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” / So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. ...

1 Samuel 25:39-44
On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” ...

2 Samuel 3:2-5
And sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; / his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; / his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital; ...

2 Samuel 5:13-16
After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. / These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, / Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ...

2 Samuel 12:24-25
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child / and sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah because the LORD loved him.


Treasury of Scripture

And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, to every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.

he dealt

2 Chronicles 10:8-15
But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him…

Luke 16:8
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

dispersed

2 Chronicles 21:3
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.

Genesis 25:6
But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

1 Kings 1:5,6
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him…

every fenced city

2 Chronicles 11:11
And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.

many wives [heb] a multitude of wives

2 Chronicles 11:21
And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

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Abundance Acted Benjamin Children Cities City Countries Dealt Desired Dispersed Distributed Districts Fenced Food Fortified Judah Lands Procured Provisions Sought Territories Throughout Victual Wisely Wives
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Abundance Acted Benjamin Children Cities City Countries Dealt Desired Dispersed Distributed Districts Fenced Food Fortified Judah Lands Procured Provisions Sought Territories Throughout Victual Wisely Wives
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














Rehoboam acted wisely
The Hebrew root for "acted wisely" is חָכַם (chakam), which implies not just intelligence but practical wisdom and shrewdness. In the context of Rehoboam's reign, this wisdom is seen in his strategic decision-making. Historically, Rehoboam's rule followed the division of the united monarchy, and his actions here reflect a calculated effort to maintain stability and control over his kingdom. This wisdom is reminiscent of the prudence encouraged in Proverbs, often attributed to his grandfather Solomon.

by dispersing some of his sons
The act of dispersing his sons can be seen as a political strategy to prevent internal power struggles and to ensure loyalty across the kingdom. The Hebrew word פָּרַשׁ (parash) suggests a deliberate spreading out, which in this context, serves to strengthen Rehoboam's influence. This tactic is consistent with ancient Near Eastern practices where royal offspring were often placed in key positions to secure dynastic continuity and regional control.

throughout the territories of Judah and Benjamin
Judah and Benjamin were the two tribes that formed the Southern Kingdom after the split of Israel. The historical context here is crucial; these territories were the heartland of Rehoboam's rule. By focusing on these areas, Rehoboam was reinforcing his power base. Archaeological findings, such as fortified cities and administrative centers in these regions, support the biblical narrative of a well-organized kingdom.

to every fortified city
Fortified cities were crucial for defense and administration in ancient Israel. The Hebrew word מִבְצָר (mivtsar) refers to a place of strength or a stronghold. These cities were strategically important, and placing his sons there ensured that Rehoboam had trusted family members in charge of key military and economic centers. This move reflects a common practice in ancient monarchies to secure borders and maintain internal order.

He gave them abundant provisions
The provision of resources, indicated by the Hebrew word רַב (rav), meaning "abundant" or "great," underscores Rehoboam's commitment to ensuring his sons' success and loyalty. This generosity would have helped to secure their allegiance and the loyalty of those under their command. It also reflects the biblical principle of stewardship and provision, as seen in the teachings of the Old Testament.

and sought many wives for them
The practice of seeking many wives, while controversial by modern standards, was a common political strategy in the ancient Near East. The Hebrew word נָשִׁים (nashim) for "wives" indicates alliances and the strengthening of political ties. This practice was intended to secure alliances with other powerful families and tribes, thereby reinforcing the stability and influence of Rehoboam's dynasty. While polygamy is not endorsed in the New Testament, understanding its historical context helps us appreciate the complexities of biblical narratives.

(23) And he dealt wisely.--Rehoboam showed his sagacity by providing each of his sons with an independent position and royal establishment in accordance with the notions of the time. In this way he secured their contentment and obviated quarrels for precedence, and intrigues against his destined successor. (Comp. Genesis 25:6; and 2Chronicles 21:2-3.) As resident prefects of the fortresses of the kingdom the princes were usefully employed. Ewald compares Ps. 14:16.

The countries.--Districts, or territories.

He gave them victual in abundance.--No doubt by assigning to each a district which was bound to supply his wants, as was the manner of the later kings of Persia.

And he desired many wives.--And asked (for them) a multitude of wives. This is mentioned, along with the abundant maintenance, as proof of the princely state which he conferred on his sons, a numerous harem being one of the marks of royalty.

Verse 23. - The wise dealing of Rehoboam, fourfold (weakening his children by division, giving them each employment, giving them also abundance of victual, and - as is probably the meaning, though not said so either here or in the Septuagint - finding for them many wives), will not, though it were forty-fold, avail to cover his "despising" of the "Law." Rather his wise dealing is an indication that his conscience was not quite at ease, and that he knew he was wrong. Nothing is so liable to blind judgment as personal affection.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Rehoboam also acted wisely
וַיָּבֶן֩ (way·yā·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

by dispersing
וַיִּפְרֹ֨ץ (way·yip̄·rōṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6555: To break through

some of his sons
בָּנָ֜יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

throughout
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the districts
אַרְצ֧וֹת (’ar·ṣō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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

and Benjamin,
וּבִנְיָמִ֗ן (ū·ḇin·yā·min)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

and to all
לְֽכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the fortified
הַמְּצֻר֔וֹת (ham·mə·ṣu·rō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4694: A hemming in, a mound, a rampart, fortification

cities.
עָרֵ֣י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

He gave
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them
לָהֶ֛ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

abundant
לָרֹ֑ב (lā·rōḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

provisions
הַמָּז֖וֹן (ham·mā·zō·wn)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4202: Food, sustenance

and sought
וַיִּשְׁאַ֖ל (way·yiš·’al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

many
הֲמ֥וֹן (hă·mō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth

wives for them.
נָשִֽׁים׃ (nā·šîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 11:23 He dealt wisely and dispersed of all (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 11:22
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