2 Chronicles 11:20
After her, he married Maacah daughter of Absalom, and she bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
After her, he married Maacah daughter of Absalom
This phrase refers to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and king of Judah, who took Maacah as one of his wives. Maacah is identified as the daughter of Absalom, who was the son of King David. Absalom is known for his rebellion against his father David, which adds a layer of complexity to the political alliances formed through marriage. Marriages during this time were often strategic, aimed at strengthening political ties and consolidating power. The mention of Maacah being Absalom's daughter suggests a continuation of the Davidic line, which is significant in the context of the Messianic prophecies that speak of a ruler from David's lineage.

and she bore to him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith
Maacah bore Rehoboam four children, with Abijah being the most notable among them. Abijah, also known as Abijam, would later become king of Judah after Rehoboam. His reign is recorded in 1 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 13, where he is depicted as a king who, despite his shortcomings, maintained the Davidic line. The other children, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith, are less prominent in the biblical narrative, but their mention indicates the continuation of the family line and the potential for future alliances and political maneuvers. The naming of children in biblical times often carried significant meaning, reflecting familial hopes, divine promises, or historical events.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rehoboam
The son of Solomon and king of Judah, known for his initial harshness that led to the division of the united kingdom of Israel.

2. Maacah
The daughter of Absalom, who became one of Rehoboam's wives. Her lineage connects her to King David, as Absalom was David's son.

3. Absalom
The son of King David, known for his rebellion against his father. His legacy is complex, marked by ambition and tragedy.

4. Abijah
The son of Rehoboam and Maacah, who later becomes king of Judah. His reign is noted for a significant battle against Jeroboam of Israel.

5. Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith
Other children of Rehoboam and Maacah, about whom little is known beyond their mention in this passage.
Teaching Points
The Influence of Family Legacy
Our family background can significantly influence our lives, both positively and negatively. Understanding our heritage can help us make informed decisions about our own paths.

The Complexity of Relationships
The relationships within Rehoboam's family highlight the complexity of human interactions and the importance of seeking God's wisdom in managing familial ties.

Leadership and Legacy
Rehoboam's choices, including his marriages, impacted the future of Judah. Leaders must consider how their personal decisions affect their legacy and those they lead.

God's Sovereignty in History
Despite human failings and complex family dynamics, God's sovereign plan continues to unfold. Trusting in His overarching purpose can bring peace amidst uncertainty.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the family background of Maacah, as the daughter of Absalom, potentially influence her role as a wife and mother in Rehoboam's household?

2. In what ways can understanding the history of our own families help us make better decisions in our personal and spiritual lives?

3. Considering the influence of Maacah on her son Abijah, what role do parents play in shaping the spiritual and moral direction of their children?

4. How can we apply the lessons from Rehoboam's family dynamics to our own relationships, particularly in terms of seeking God's guidance?

5. Reflecting on the broader account of 2 Chronicles, how does this passage illustrate the importance of aligning personal decisions with God's will for the sake of future generations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 15:1-2
This passage provides additional context about Abijah, noting his reign and his mother Maacah's influence.

2 Samuel 13-18
These chapters detail the life of Absalom, Maacah's father, providing background on her family history and the potential influences on her character and decisions.

1 Chronicles 3:9
Lists the sons of David, including Absalom, providing genealogical context for Maacah's heritage.
A Royal PolygamistT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 11:18-23
Spiritual AdmixtureW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 11:18-23
People
Abigail, Abihail, Abijah, Absalom, Attai, Benjamin, David, Eliab, Israelites, Jerimoth, Jeroboam, Jesse, Jeush, Levites, Maacah, Maachah, Mahalath, Rehoboam, Shamariah, Shelomith, Shemaiah, Shemariah, Solomon, Zaham, Ziza, Zur
Places
Adoraim, Adullam, Aijalon, Azekah, Bethlehem, Beth-zur, Etam, Gath, Hebron, Jerusalem, Lachish, Mareshah, Soco, Tekoa, Ziph, Zorah
Topics
Abijah, Abi'jah, Absalom, Ab'salom, Attai, Bare, Beareth, Bore, Daughter, Maacah, Ma'acah, Maachah, Shelomith, Shelo'mith, Ziza
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 11:18-22

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Library
The Exile Continued.
"So David fled, and escaped and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done unto him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth" (1 Sam. xix. 18)--or, as the word probably means, in the collection of students' dwellings, inhabited by the sons of the prophets, where possibly there may have been some kind of right of sanctuary. Driven thence by Saul's following him, and having had one last sorrowful hour of Jonathan's companionship--the last but one on earth--he fled to Nob, whither
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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