2 Chronicles 12:16

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

And Rehoboam {H7346} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, and was buried {H6912} in the city {H5892} of David {H1732}: and Abijah {H29} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Rechav'am slept with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. Then Aviyah his son became king in his place.

And Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Abijah reigned in his place.

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of King Rehoboam's reign over Judah, the southern kingdom, after the dramatic division of the united monarchy. Rehoboam, son of Solomon, ruled for 17 years (2 Chronicles 12:13). His rule was largely characterized by a departure from God's ways, leading to national weakness and the invasion by Shishak, king of Egypt. Despite a brief period of humbling and repentance (2 Chronicles 12:7), the overall assessment of his reign in Chronicles is mixed, highlighting his failure to seek the Lord wholeheartedly. This verse marks his natural death and the transfer of power, setting the stage for the next king in the lineage of David.

Key Themes

  • Succession and Continuity: The verse highlights the inevitable end of one reign and the beginning of another, a recurring theme in the biblical narrative of kings. It underscores the continuity of the Davidic dynasty, even amidst the challenges and failures of individual rulers like Rehoboam.
  • The End of a Reign: The phrase 'slept with his fathers' is a common biblical idiom for death, signifying a peaceful passing and joining ancestors. For Rehoboam, it marks the conclusion of a reign that saw both significant national challenges and moments of God's mercy.
  • Burial in the City of David: Being buried in the 'city of David' (Jerusalem) was a privilege reserved for kings of Judah, indicating his legitimate place in the royal lineage and affirming his status as a king in the line of David despite his flaws.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "slept with his fathers" (Hebrew: ื™ึดืฉึฐืื›ึทึผื‘ ืขึดื ืึฒื‘ึนืชึธื™ื•, yishkav im avotav) is a gentle and common biblical euphemism for death. It suggests a natural, peaceful end to life, and implies being gathered to one's ancestors in the afterlife. This idiom is frequently used throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles to mark the death of a monarch, signaling the end of their earthly existence and the transition to the next generation of leadership.

Significance and Application

This seemingly simple verse serves as a concluding summary to a complex and often turbulent reign. It reminds us that all earthly leadership is temporary. For believers, it underscores the enduring nature of God's plan and covenant, specifically the Davidic covenant, which continued through the succession of kings, despite their imperfections. Rehoboam's story, ending with this verse, is a sober reminder that while human leaders come and go, God's sovereign purposes persist through generations. It also sets the stage for the next chapter of Judah's history under King Abijah, highlighting the ongoing narrative of God's faithfulness to His people.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 11:20 (2 votes)

    And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

  • Matthew 1:7 (2 votes)

    And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

  • 1 Chronicles 3:10 (2 votes)

    ยถ And Solomon's son [was] Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

  • 2 Chronicles 13:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.

  • 1 Kings 14:29 (2 votes)

    Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

  • 1 Kings 14:31 (2 votes)

    And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.