2 Chronicles 13:6

KJV

Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Nebat {H5028}, the servant {H5650} of Solomon {H8010} the son {H1121} of David {H1732}, is risen up {H6965}, and hath rebelled {H4775} against his lord {H113}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yet Yarov'am the son of N'vat, servant to Shlomo the son of David, rose in rebellion against his lord.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master.

American Standard Version

Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 13:6, a pivotal declaration by King Abijah of Judah, powerfully frames Jeroboam's ascent to power as a rebellious act against the legitimate Davidic monarchy. This verse, delivered in Abijah's impassioned speech before a significant battle, underscores the Chronicler's theological perspective on the divided kingdom, emphasizing the divine legitimacy of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and casting the Northern Kingdom of Israel's formation as an illegitimate usurpation of the throne divinely promised to David's lineage. It sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation rooted in deep theological and political schisms.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within King Abijah's impassioned and lengthy speech to Jeroboam and the armies of Israel, recorded in [2 Chronicles 13:4-12](/2_chronicles/13-4 "2 Chronicles 13:4-12 - Abijah's Address to Jeroboam"). Abijah, the king of Judah, is asserting the divine right of the Davidic dynasty to rule, directly challenging Jeroboam's authority and the legitimacy of the Northern Kingdom. The speech serves as a theological justification for the impending battle, portraying Judah as defending God's established order against Jeroboam's rebellion. Following this address, the narrative details the ensuing battle where Judah, relying on God, achieves a decisive victory over Israel, reinforcing the Chronicler's message of divine favor upon the faithful Davidic line.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The verse speaks to the tumultuous period following the death of King Solomon and the subsequent division of the united monarchy (c. 931 BCE). Jeroboam, initially a trusted servant of Solomon, was prophesied by the prophet Ahijah to receive ten tribes due to [Solomon's idolatry](/1_kings/11-11 "1 Kings 11:11 - Solomon's Disobedience and its Consequences"). After Solomon's son Rehoboam foolishly rejected the people's plea for lighter burdens ([1 Kings 12:13-15](/1_kings/12-13 "1 Kings 12:13-15 - Rehoboam's Harsh Reply")), ten tribes seceded, forming the Northern Kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam. This division was a profound rupture in Israelite history, leading to centuries of conflict and spiritual divergence. Abijah's speech, delivered decades later, reflects the ongoing political and religious animosity between the two kingdoms, with Judah consistently viewing the northern secession as an act of rebellion against God's chosen dynasty.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes interwoven throughout [2 Chronicles 13](/2_chronicles/13 "2 Chronicles 13 - Abijah's Victory Over Jeroboam") and this verse include the **legitimacy of the Davidic monarchy** and the **illegitimacy of Jeroboam's rule**. The Chronicler consistently emphasizes the enduring nature of the Davidic Covenant ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")), portraying Judah's kings as the rightful heirs to God's promise. Conversely, Jeroboam's actions are explicitly labeled "rebellion," highlighting the Northern Kingdom's deviation from divine order. This narrative also explores the tension between **divine sovereignty and human responsibility**, as Jeroboam's rise, though prophesied by God, is still presented as a culpable act of human rebellion. Finally, the verse subtly points to the **consequences of sin**, as the kingdom's division ultimately stemmed from Solomon's unfaithfulness, demonstrating how individual sin can have far-reaching national repercussions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebelled (Hebrew, _marad'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate act of revolt, defiance, or insurrection against a superior authority. In biblical contexts, it often carries strong negative connotations, implying a breach of loyalty, a rejection of established order, or even an act of apostasy against God. Abijah's use of this term against Jeroboam is highly charged, portraying his seizure of the northern tribes not as a divinely sanctioned succession (though it was foretold) but as a defiant and illegitimate overthrow of the rightful Davidic authority, thereby stripping Jeroboam's rule of any moral or divine sanction in the Chronicler's eyes.
* **Servant (Hebrew, _'ebed'_):** The term "servant" here denotes Jeroboam's original status as an official or subordinate under Solomon. By highlighting this, Abijah emphasizes Jeroboam's humble origins and his subordinate position relative to the royal house. This contrast underscores the audacity of his "rebellion," framing it as an act of insubordination from one who was not of royal lineage and had no inherent claim to the throne, further delegitimizing his rule in the eyes of the Chronicler and Abijah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat":** This identifies Jeroboam by his patronymic, emphasizing his non-royal lineage. He is simply "the son of Nebat," a common man, not a descendant of David. This immediately contrasts him with the Davidic line, setting up the argument for his illegitimacy.
* **"the servant of Solomon the son of David":** This clause further highlights Jeroboam's subordinate status under the legitimate Davidic king, Solomon. By calling Solomon "the son of David," Abijah implicitly invokes the Davidic Covenant and the divine promise of an enduring dynasty, reinforcing the idea that the throne belonged exclusively to David's descendants.
* **"is risen up":** This phrase, using a verb that can mean to "lift oneself up" or "exalt oneself," suggests a proactive and ambitious move on Jeroboam's part. It implies an unauthorized ascent to power, a self-initiated act of seizing authority rather than receiving it legitimately.
* **"and hath rebelled against his lord":** This is the climactic accusation. "His lord" here refers to Rehoboam, Solomon's son and rightful heir. The term "rebelled" (as analyzed above) unequivocally condemns Jeroboam's actions as a disloyal and illegitimate overthrow of the divinely appointed Davidic monarchy, establishing the theological premise for Judah's claim to superiority and divine favor.

#### Literary Devices
Abijah's speech, encapsulated in this verse, employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is central, pitting the legitimate Davidic line ("Solomon the son of David") against the upstart "servant" Jeroboam. This stark dichotomy serves to delegitimize Jeroboam's rule. The use of strong verbs like "risen up" and "rebelled" constitutes **emphatic language**, conveying a sense of forceful, defiant, and culpable action. There is also an element of **rhetorical accusation**, as Abijah uses this historical fact to rally his troops and condemn his opponent, framing the conflict not merely as a political struggle but as a defense of God's established order. The verse also functions as a form of **historical summary**, condensing a complex series of events into a concise, damning indictment, serving the Chronicler's theological agenda.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological significance of 2 Chronicles 13:6 lies in its strong affirmation of the Davidic Covenant and its denunciation of any challenge to its legitimacy. For the Chronicler, the division of the kingdom was not merely a political event but a profound theological crisis, with Jeroboam's rebellion representing a rejection of God's chosen dynasty. This perspective highlights God's faithfulness to His promises, even amidst human failure and rebellion, while simultaneously condemning those who defy His established order. The verse sets the stage for a recurring theme in Chronicles: the prosperity and success of Judah's kings are directly tied to their faithfulness to God and their adherence to the Davidic covenant, contrasting sharply with the consistent unfaithfulness and ultimate downfall of the northern kings.

* [1 Kings 11:31](/1_kings/11-31 "Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")
* [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "The Enduring Davidic Covenant")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalm/89-3 "God's Covenant with David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This historical account of Jeroboam's rebellion, as presented by Abijah, offers profound insights into the nature of authority, legitimacy, and the consequences of human ambition. It challenges us to consider the source and nature of the authority we operate under, whether in our personal lives, communities, or leadership roles. While Jeroboam's rise was part of God's sovereign plan to judge Solomon's sin, the Chronicler's emphasis on his "rebellion" reminds us that human actions, even when seemingly fulfilling a divine purpose, are still judged by their moral character and adherence to established order. We are called to discern between legitimate authority and usurpation, to respect the structures God has put in place, and to recognize that true power and lasting blessing come from alignment with God's will and His covenants, not from self-exaltation or defiance. This narrative encourages humility in leadership and a deep reverence for divine appointment, even when circumstances are challenging.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Chronicler's emphasis on "rebellion" shape our understanding of divine sovereignty versus human responsibility?**
* **In what ways might we, in our own lives, be tempted to "rise up" or "rebel" against legitimate authority, whether spiritual, familial, or civic?**
* **How does understanding the Davidic Covenant, as highlighted in this verse, impact our view of God's faithfulness to His promises?**
* **What lessons can be drawn from the long-term consequences of the kingdom's division, initiated by Jeroboam's actions, for our own communities or nations?**

### FAQ

**Was Jeroboam's rebellion against Rehoboam truly against God's will, given that the prophet Ahijah foretold the division of the kingdom?**

Answer: This is a crucial theological tension. While the prophet Ahijah did indeed foretell that Jeroboam would receive ten tribes from Solomon's kingdom as a consequence of Solomon's idolatry ([1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")), the biblical narrative, particularly in Chronicles, consistently portrays Jeroboam's actions as a "rebellion." This highlights the distinction between God's sovereign plan and human culpability. God's foreknowledge and use of an event to fulfill His purposes do not absolve human agents of their moral responsibility for their actions. Jeroboam's "rising up" and "rebelling" against Rehoboam, the legitimate Davidic heir, was a human act of defiance against the established, divinely-sanctioned Davidic monarchy. The Chronicler emphasizes this human sinfulness and illegitimacy from Judah's perspective, even while acknowledging God's overarching hand in the kingdom's division.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jeroboam's rebellion and the enduring legitimacy of the Davidic line in 2 Chronicles 13:6 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jeroboam, a "servant" who "rebelled against his lord" and established an illegitimate kingdom, stands in stark contrast to Jesus, the true and rightful "son of David" ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")) who never rebelled but perfectly submitted to His Father's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Humiliation and Obedience")). While earthly kings like Abijah fought to maintain a flawed, earthly Davidic kingdom, Christ establishes an eternal, unshakeable kingdom that will never be divided or overthrown ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "The Enduring Kingdom of God")). The Davidic Covenant, repeatedly affirmed in the Old Testament, finds its ultimate and perfect realization in Christ, whose throne is forever ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "The Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary")). He is the true King who, far from rebelling, willingly laid down His life to redeem His people and establish a spiritual kingdom built on grace and truth, inviting all to submit to His benevolent rule rather than to rebel against Him ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")).

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

1 Kings 11:26

¶ And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name [was] Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up [his] hand against the king.

1 Kings 12:20

And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

2 Chronicles 10:19

And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

1 Kings 12:27

If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, [even] unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.