2 Chronicles 11:21

KJV

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.)

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.)

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 11:21 offers an intimate glimpse into the domestic life of King Rehoboam, revealing his extensive polygamous household and his particular affection for Maachah, identified as the daughter of Absalom. The verse meticulously details the sheer scale of his family, noting he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and fathered a considerable progeny of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters, underscoring the ancient Near Eastern emphasis on dynastic continuity and the king's virility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant shift in the Chronicler's narrative concerning Rehoboam. Chapters 10 and the initial part of 11 recount the tragic division of the united kingdom of Israel following Rehoboam's unwise and harsh response to the northern tribes, leading to Jeroboam's secession. The narrative then details Rehoboam's strategic efforts to fortify the cities of Judah and Benjamin and highlights the crucial migration of Levites and priests from Israel to Judah due to Jeroboam's idolatrous practices. Verse 21 marks a distinct transition from these public, political, and religious affairs to the private realm of the king's domestic arrangements. This shift is not merely biographical; it sets the stage for the subsequent discussion of Rehoboam's sons and the critical matter of royal succession, particularly the elevation of Abijah, Maachah's son, as noted in [2 Chronicles 11:22-23](/2_chronicles/11-22 "2 Chronicles 11:22-23 - Rehoboam's Sons and Succession"). The Chronicler emphasizes that the king's personal life, especially regarding family and heirs, was inextricably linked to the stability and future of the kingdom.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Polygamy was a widely accepted and often strategic practice among monarchs and powerful elites in the ancient Near East. Its purposes were multifaceted: it served to forge political alliances through marriage, demonstrate immense wealth and power, and, most critically, ensure a large number of male heirs to secure the dynastic line and prevent succession crises. Kings frequently took wives from various regions or influential families to solidify treaties or prevent conflicts. The immense size of Rehoboam's household, with eighteen wives and sixty concubines, was not atypical for a king of his stature, echoing the practices of his renowned father, [King Solomon, who famously had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines](/1_kings/11-3 "1 Kings 11:3 - Solomon's Foreign Wives"). Concubines, though of lower social status than primary wives, still bore children who were considered legitimate heirs, further contributing to the stability and continuity of the royal house. The emphasis on abundant progeny reflects the societal value placed on large families as a sign of divine blessing, strength, and the assurance of a lasting legacy, particularly for a king whose lineage was foundational to the divine promise given to David.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Royal Polygamy** as a prevalent, though biblically problematic, aspect of ancient kingship. While culturally accepted, this practice often stood in tension with God's original design for marriage, as established in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - God's Design for Marriage"), and was explicitly cautioned against for kings in [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Prohibition of Many Wives for Kings"), due to its potential for spiritual compromise and divided loyalties. Secondly, the theme of **Favoritism and Family Dynamics** is clearly evident through Rehoboam's distinct preference for Maachah. Such favoritism, while personal, often led to internal strife, jealousy, and rivalries within royal households, profoundly influencing succession and potentially destabilizing the kingdom, as vividly illustrated in other biblical accounts, such as Jacob's favoritism for Joseph in [Genesis 37:3-4](/genesis/37-3-4 "Genesis 37:3-4 - Jacob's Favoritism for Joseph"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the paramount importance of **Lineage and Progeny** for the continuation of the Davidic dynasty and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The sheer number of children born to Rehoboam emphasizes his success in ensuring a robust line of heirs, with Maachah's son, Abijah, ultimately succeeding him as king, as recorded in [2 Chronicles 12:16](/2_chronicles/12-16 "2 Chronicles 12:16 - Abijah's Succession"). Lastly, the specific identification of Maachah as "the daughter of Absalom" subtly introduces the theme of **Absalom's Legacy**, serving as a poignant reminder of the turbulent and rebellious past within the Davidic line, adding a layer of historical irony or perhaps a subtle foreshadowing of future challenges.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **loved (Hebrew, _ʼâhab_):** From H157, this verb signifies a deep affection, strong preference, or even a passionate attachment, encompassing both sexual and non-sexual forms of love. In 2 Chronicles 11:21, it highlights Rehoboam's singular and profound favor for Maachah, distinguishing her above all his other wives and concubines. This denotes her elevated status and significant influence within the vast royal household, implying that her position was not merely one among many, but one of preeminence, which would have direct implications for the dynamics of succession and family power.
* **Maachah (Hebrew, _Maʻăkâh_):** From H4601, this name, while derived from a root meaning "depression," here refers specifically to a prominent Israelite woman. In this context, Maachah is identified as the favored wife of King Rehoboam and the mother of Abijah, his successor. Her explicit identification as "the daughter of Absalom" is a critical detail, linking the reigning king's most favored wife and the mother of his heir directly to Absalom, King David's rebellious son. This connection underscores the complex and often troubled lineage of the Davidic monarchy, subtly weaving the threads of past family strife into the present narrative of royal succession.
* **daughter (Hebrew, _bath_):** From H1323, this feminine noun, derived from the root "to build" (like "son"), denotes a female offspring. In the phrase "daughter of Absalom," it precisely defines Maachah's familial relationship to Absalom. This specific genealogical detail is crucial for understanding the historical and political backdrop of Rehoboam's reign, as it connects his chosen queen to a figure notorious for rebellion against the Davidic throne. The term emphasizes the importance of lineage and family ties in ancient Israelite society, particularly within the royal house, where such connections could carry both prestige and historical baggage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines:"** This opening clause immediately establishes Rehoboam's personal preference and highlights the hierarchical structure of his extensive royal family. His singular affection for Maachah, despite having numerous other marital partners, indicates her significant influence and prominent position within the household. The explicit mention of her lineage as "the daughter of Absalom" serves as a crucial detail, linking the reigning king's most favored wife to a figure notorious for rebellion against the Davidic throne, thereby adding a layer of historical irony and potential tension to the narrative.
* **"(for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines;":** This parenthetical statement provides the quantitative evidence for Rehoboam's extensive polygamy, serving as the rationale for the preceding claim of Maachah's favored status among so many. "Threescore" translates to sixty, meaning Rehoboam had a total of 18 wives and 60 concubines, amounting to 78 marital partners. This detail emphatically underscores the king's power, wealth, and adherence to the typical royal practice of accumulating many women to ensure a large progeny and forge alliances, though it also implicitly contrasts with the Mosaic law's caution against kings multiplying wives ([Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Prohibition of Many Wives for Kings")).
* **"and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)"** The second part of the parenthetical clause details the prolific outcome of Rehoboam's extensive marital arrangements. The birth of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters (a total of eighty-eight children) highlights the success of his efforts to ensure the continuation of his lineage and the Davidic dynasty. This abundance of heirs was of paramount importance for the stability and future of the kingdom, especially in a period marked by political division and uncertainty, guaranteeing a pool of potential successors and reinforcing the king's virility and divine favor in the eyes of his subjects.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several **literary devices** to convey its message with precision and depth. **Juxtaposition** is evident as the narrative abruptly shifts from the public, political, and religious affairs of Rehoboam's reign (such as fortifying cities and the migration of priests) to the intensely personal details of his domestic life. This highlights that even the most private aspects of a king's life were profoundly significant for the kingdom's stability and the crucial matter of succession. The use of precise numbers ("eighteen wives," "threescore concubines," "twenty and eight sons," "threescore daughters") functions as **enumeration**, providing concrete evidence of Rehoboam's prolific household and reinforcing the scale of his royal power and commitment to dynastic continuity. The parenthetical structure of the verse serves as an **explanatory aside**, offering the immediate rationale for Maachah's elevated status by detailing the sheer size of the household she was favored within. Furthermore, the specific identification of Maachah as "the daughter of Absalom" can be seen as a powerful form of **intertextual reference** or **allusion**, subtly reminding the reader of the turbulent history of the Davidic line and the potential for internal conflict that had plagued the royal family, even as Rehoboam sought to secure his future.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 11:21, while appearing as a straightforward biographical detail, carries significant theological weight. Rehoboam's extensive polygamy, though culturally accepted in his era, stands in stark tension with God's original creational design for marriage as a monogamous union, as established in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - God's Design for Marriage"). Moreover, it directly contravenes the specific divine command for kings not to multiply wives for themselves, lest their hearts be led astray ([Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Prohibition of Many Wives for Kings")). This practice, famously exemplified by his father Solomon, often led to spiritual compromise, idolatry, and divided loyalties, diverting the king's heart from exclusive devotion to God. The verse subtly underscores the human tendency, even among divinely appointed leaders, to pursue worldly power and security (through numerous heirs) rather than fully trusting in God's sovereign provision and covenant promises. The favoritism shown to Maachah also highlights the inherent relational complexities and potential for discord and injustice within polygamous households, reflecting a broader theological theme of how deviation from God's ideal order can introduce chaos and brokenness into human relationships. Ultimately, the emphasis on progeny points to the critical importance of the Davidic line for the fulfillment of God's covenant, even as the human instruments of that line prove consistently flawed and fallible.

* [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Prohibition of Many Wives for Kings")
* [1 Kings 11:1-3](/1_kings/11-1-3 "Solomon's Many Foreign Wives and Their Influence")
* [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "God's Design for Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, though detailing ancient royal practices, offers timeless insights into the nature of leadership, human fallibility, and the intricate dynamics of family. Rehoboam's personal choices, particularly his extensive polygamy and evident favoritism, were not merely private matters but had profound implications for the stability, character, and spiritual health of his kingdom. Leaders, whether in a family, a church, a business, or a community, must recognize that their personal lives and decisions inevitably impact those they lead. The danger of favoritism, even if seemingly benign or culturally accepted, can sow seeds of resentment, division, and injustice within any group or household. Rehoboam's distinct preference for Maachah, while not explicitly condemned here, serves as a poignant reminder that partiality can undermine unity, foster competition, and create an environment where some feel devalued. For believers today, this verse serves as a subtle yet powerful call to align our personal lives and family structures with God's revealed will, seeking integrity, equity, and the pursuit of harmonious relationships. It challenges us to consider how our choices, even those we deem private, reflect our deepest values and profoundly influence the spiritual and relational health of our sphere of influence, always striving for God's design over cultural norms.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do personal choices and family dynamics, even seemingly private ones, inevitably impact a leader's effectiveness and the well-being of those they lead?**
* **In what ways can favoritism, whether intentional or unintentional, create discord, jealousy, or instability in modern families, churches, or communities?**
* **Considering God's original design for marriage and the cautions given to kings, what principles can we draw from this verse about aligning our own lives and relationships with biblical ideals, even when they diverge from cultural norms?**

### FAQ
**Why did ancient kings have so many wives and concubines?**

Answer: Ancient kings, including Rehoboam, accumulated many wives and concubines for a combination of strategic, political, and cultural reasons. Politically, marriages often served to forge crucial alliances with other nations or powerful families, securing peace, trade agreements, or military support. Culturally, a large harem was a prominent display of immense wealth, power, and high social status. Most importantly, having numerous wives and concubines ensured a multitude of heirs, which was absolutely crucial for securing the dynastic line and preventing succession crises. The more sons a king had, the greater the likelihood of a stable continuation of his reign and the perpetuation of his legacy.

**Was Rehoboam's polygamy considered sinful by God?**

Answer: While polygamy was a common cultural practice in the ancient Near East, it was not God's original design for marriage as established in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - God's Design for Marriage"), which speaks of one man and one woman becoming "one flesh." Furthermore, God gave a specific command to kings in [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Prohibition of Many Wives for Kings") not to "multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away." Rehoboam's father, Solomon, famously violated this command, leading to his heart being turned away to idolatry and the eventual division of the kingdom ([1 Kings 11:4](/1_kings/11-4 "1 Kings 11:4 - Solomon's Heart Turned Away from God")). While the text of 2 Chronicles 11:21 doesn't explicitly condemn Rehoboam's polygamy, it presents it as a fact of his reign that stands in tension with divine instruction and often led to spiritual and familial complications within the Davidic line, ultimately contributing to the instability of the monarchy.

**Who was Maachah, and why is her lineage significant?**

Answer: Maachah was Rehoboam's favored wife, holding a position of preeminence among his many wives and concubines, and she was the mother of Abijah, who would eventually succeed Rehoboam as king. Her significance lies profoundly in her lineage: she is identified as "the daughter of Absalom." While some biblical genealogies and scholarly traditions suggest she was actually Absalom's granddaughter (daughter of Absalom's daughter Tamar and Uriel of Gibeah), the Chronicler's direct identification links her explicitly to Absalom, King David's rebellious son. This connection is highly significant because it subtly reminds the reader of the deep-seated internal strife, rebellion, and tragic consequences that had plagued the Davidic dynasty from within its own family structures. It highlights the complex and sometimes troubled history of the royal line, even as it continues through Rehoboam's most favored wife and her son, underscoring that the past, even a tumultuous one, casts a long shadow on the present.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Rehoboam's extensive family, marked by polygamy and favoritism, vividly underscores the inherent limitations, flaws, and ultimate insufficiency of human kingship, even within the divinely chosen Davidic line. His earnest efforts to secure a vast progeny for dynastic stability, while culturally expected and politically shrewd, ultimately highlight the profound need for a perfect King whose reign and lineage are not dependent on human numbers, flawed relationships, or the uncertainties of earthly succession. The Davidic covenant promised an eternal king and kingdom, a promise that finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment not in Rehoboam's numerous earthly children, but in Jesus Christ. Jesus, the true and eternal [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus"), establishes His kingdom not through a multitude of wives and concubines, but through His singular, pure, and covenantal relationship with His "bride," the Church ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). Unlike Rehoboam's household, which likely experienced the discord, rivalry, and injustice inherent in polygamy and favoritism, Christ's kingdom is characterized by perfect unity, peace, and divine justice. He is the one King who perfectly fulfills the command to not multiply wives ([Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Prohibition of Many Wives for Kings")) and whose reign is truly eternal, secured not by human progeny but by His divine nature, His sinless life, and His resurrection power ([Hebrews 7:23-25](/hebrews/7-23-25 "Hebrews 7:23-25 - Jesus' Eternal Priesthood")). Thus, Rehoboam's story, with its focus on securing a human lineage, ultimately points beyond itself to the superior and perfectly ordered reign of the Messiah, who brings forth a spiritual progeny that will never end and whose kingdom knows no end ([Isaiah 53:10](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - Christ's Spiritual Offspring")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.