2 Chronicles 11:14

For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:

For the Levites {H3881} left {H5800} their suburbs {H4054} and their possession {H272}, and came {H3212} to Judah {H3063} and Jerusalem {H3389}: for Jeroboam {H3379} and his sons {H1121} had cast them off {H2186} from executing the priest's office {H3547} unto the LORD {H3068}:

The L'vi'im left their pasture lands and property and came to Y'hudah and Yerushalayim; since Yarov'am and his sons had thrown them out, not allowing them to function as cohanim for ADONAI,

For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD.

For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest’s office unto Jehovah;

Commentary

2 Chronicles 11:14 details a significant moment in the early history of the divided kingdom of Israel, highlighting the forced relocation of the Levites due to Jeroboam's apostasy.

Context of 2 Chronicles 11:14

Following the death of King Solomon, the unified kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern kingdom, retaining the name Israel, led by King Jeroboam, and the southern kingdom of Judah, ruled by Solomon's son Rehoboam. Jeroboam, fearing that regular pilgrimages to Jerusalem for worship would turn the hearts of his people back to Rehoboam, established alternative centers of worship at Dan and Bethel, complete with golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act of apostasy required him to appoint non-Levitical priests, as the Levites were divinely appointed for priestly duties. This verse explicitly states that Jeroboam and his sons "cast them off" from their sacred office, forcing the Levites to seek refuge and continue their service in Judah and Jerusalem, where true worship of the LORD was still upheld.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Loyalty to God Over Land: The Levites' decision to leave their designated "suburbs and their possession" (their inherited lands and cities, Numbers 35:2) demonstrates their unwavering commitment to the LORD and His prescribed worship. They chose spiritual integrity over material security and ancestral heritage.
  • Religious Persecution and Apostasy: Jeroboam's actions represent a clear case of state-sanctioned religious discrimination and apostasy. By casting off the legitimate priests, he actively suppressed true worship to solidify his political power, leading his people into idolatry.
  • Gathering of the Faithful: This migration of the Levites, along with other devout Israelites mentioned in subsequent verses (2 Chronicles 11:16), strengthened Rehoboam's kingdom. It signifies that God preserves a remnant of those who are faithful to Him, even amidst widespread spiritual decline.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cast them off" (Hebrew: יִזְנְחוּהוּ, yizneḥūhū) indicates a strong act of rejection or abandonment. It implies that Jeroboam actively disbarred and dismissed the Levites from their sacred duties, rather than them simply choosing to leave. This highlights the forceful nature of his religious reforms and his deliberate break from the Mosaic law concerning the priesthood.

Significance and Practical Application

2 Chronicles 11:14 serves as a powerful reminder of the choice between political expediency and spiritual fidelity. The Levites' actions underscore the importance of:

  • Prioritizing God's Truth: Their willingness to sacrifice comfort and security for the sake of true worship challenges believers today to examine their own priorities. Are we willing to stand for biblical truth even when it comes at a personal cost?
  • Integrity in Leadership: The Levites demonstrated integrity by refusing to compromise their calling, providing a stark contrast to Jeroboam's corrupt leadership. This calls for leaders in all spheres to maintain faithfulness to God's principles.
  • God's Preservation of a Remnant: Even when the majority deviates, God always preserves a faithful remnant. This offers encouragement that true worship will endure, and those who remain committed to God will find their place and purpose within His plan, often in unexpected ways (Romans 11:5).

This verse emphasizes the enduring conflict between serving God faithfully and succumbing to worldly pressures, and the blessings that follow those who choose loyalty to the LORD.

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 13:9 (5 votes)

    Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of [other] lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, [the same] may be a priest of [them that are] no gods.

  • Numbers 35:2 (4 votes)

    Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give [also] unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

  • Numbers 35:5 (4 votes)

    And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city [shall be] in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

  • 1 Kings 12:28 (3 votes)

    Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

  • 1 Kings 12:33 (3 votes)

    So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, [even] in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

  • Joshua 21:20 (2 votes)

    And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.

  • Joshua 21:42 (2 votes)

    These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus [were] all these cities.