2 Chronicles 12

“And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him…” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.” Naming Jerusalem and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem…” Naming Shishak and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.” Naming Israel and Whereupon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD , and the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that…” Naming Instead and Rehoboam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the king entered into the house of the LORD , the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into…” The line’s distinctive content terms include guard, chamber, entered. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also…” Naming Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD .” The line’s distinctive content terms include evil, heart, LORD. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.” Naming Abijah and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.