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.)

And Rehoboam {H7346} loved {H157} Maachah {H4601} the daughter {H1323} of Absalom {H53} above all his wives {H802} and his concubines {H6370}:(for he took {H5375} eighteen {H8083}{H6240} wives {H802}, and threescore {H8346} concubines {H6370}; and begat {H3205} twenty {H6242} and eight {H8083} sons {H1121}, and threescore {H8346} daughters {H1323}.)

Rechav'am loved Ma'akhah more than all his other wives and concubines - for he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines and was the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.

Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he was the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.

And Rehoboam loved Maacah 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).

Commentary

2 Chronicles 11:21 offers a glimpse into the personal life of King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and the first king of Judah after the division of the united monarchy. This verse highlights his extensive polygamy and particular affection for one of his wives, Maachah, the granddaughter of Absalom.

Context

Following the significant split of the kingdom, where ten tribes followed Jeroboam and formed Israel, while Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to Rehoboam (as detailed in 2 Chronicles 10:19), Rehoboam focused on fortifying cities within his smaller domain. Chapter 11 primarily describes his efforts to strengthen Judah's defenses and the influx of priests and Levites from Israel who migrated to Judah because of Jeroboam's idolatry. Verse 21 then shifts from political and religious matters to the king's personal life, providing insight into his family structure and the scale of his royal household, which was characteristic of ancient Near Eastern monarchs.

Key Themes

  • Royal Polygamy: The verse explicitly states Rehoboam had "eighteen wives, and threescore concubines" (60 concubines), a practice common among kings in the ancient world, including his father King Solomon. This practice, while culturally accepted, often led to complex family dynamics and deviations from God's original design for marriage.
  • Favoritism and Family Dynamics: Rehoboam's deep affection for Maachah, "above all his wives and his concubines," speaks to the potential for favoritism within large royal households. Such preferences could influence succession and create internal strife, echoing similar issues seen in other biblical families (e.g., Jacob and Rachel).
  • Lineage and Progeny: The mention of his numerous children ("twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters") underscores the importance of progeny for ancient kings, ensuring the continuation of the royal line. Maachah's son, Abijah, would later succeed Rehoboam as king (2 Chronicles 12:16).
  • Absalom's Legacy: Maachah being the daughter of Absalom links Rehoboam's lineage to the rebellious son of David (2 Samuel 15:1). This connection, while perhaps unintentional, subtly reminds the reader of the complex and sometimes turbulent history of the Davidic dynasty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "loved" here is 'ahev (אָה֡ב), a straightforward term indicating deep affection or preference. The term "concubines" (Hebrew: pilegesh, Χ€Φ΄ΦΌΧ™ΧœΦΆΧ’ΦΆΧ©Χ) refers to secondary wives, typically of lower status than primary wives but whose children were considered legitimate heirs. This distinction highlights the hierarchical nature of royal households.

Practical Application

While the cultural context of polygamy is far removed from modern Christian practice, the verse offers broader insights into human nature and leadership. It reminds us that even powerful leaders are subject to personal desires and choices. The favoritism shown to Maachah, while seemingly innocuous here, can be a subtle warning against partiality within any family or organization, which can lead to discord and resentment. Furthermore, the sheer scale of Rehoboam's family life, much like Solomon's, underscores how personal decisions, even those considered private, can have significant implications for a leader and his kingdom, sometimes distracting from spiritual priorities.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 17:17

    Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

  • 1 Kings 11:3

    And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

  • Judges 8:30

    And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.

  • 2 Samuel 5:13

    And David took [him] more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

  • 2 Samuel 3:2

    And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

  • 2 Samuel 3:5

    And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

  • Song Of Solomon 6:8

    There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
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