1 Kings 14:29

1Ki 14:29 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?

Ver. 29. Now the rest.] See on 1Ki 14:19.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ki_14:29-31

Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam.

The power and weakness of external circumstances in the life of man

Though this man lived fifty-eight years in this world, and for seventeen years occupied the throne, how little is said of him! Inspired historians pay no more attention to the life of kings than to the life of ordinary men.

I. The power of external circumstances. Whilst we are far enough from admitting that man is by necessity the creature of circumstances, we cannot gainsay the fact that they tend greatly to shape his character and determine his fortunes. Here we find them investing the most worthless man with worldly opulence and regal power. Some men amass wealth and climb to power by skillful and persevering industry. But here is a man born to it. His ancestors made his position for him. He was not the architect of his own fortune. This is the case with thousands to-day. Experience teaches that to get wealth and power in this way is as undesirable as it is unmeritorious. Many sons have had reason to curse the day when their fathers bequeathed them a fortune. Here is a man whom circumstances made a king, who had nothing kingly in his soul.

II. The weakness of external circumstances.

1. They did not give him wisdom and piety.

2. They did not give him social respect. We are so constituted that we can have no true moral respect for a man, however elevated his position, if he is destitute of moral worth. To true souls corrupt men on a throne are far more contemptible than if they lived in hovels of obscurity.

Conclusion:--

1. That a mans external circumstances are no just criteria by which to judge his character. To regard them as such, has been the tendency of men in all ages.

2. That mans external circumstances do not necessarily shape his character. The circumstances into which the life of Rehoboam was thrown, did not by necessity make him the vile man and ruthless despot which he became. The fact is, there is a sovereign power in the soul, to subordinate external circumstances to its own interest. It can turn apparently the most adverse circumstances into blessings. (Homilist.)

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The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ki 14:29-30. Are they not written, &c. — A register was kept of the acts of the kings of Judah, as well as of those of the kings of Israel. And there was war, &c. — But how does this agree with 1Ki 12:23, &c., where God forbids Rehoboam and his people to go up and fight against their brethren? We must observe, that though the Jews were forbidden to make war upon the Israelites, they were not forbidden to defend themselves, in case the Israelites should make war on them. “And considering that they were now become two rival nations, they might, upon the borders, be continually endeavouring to gain ground upon each other, and so run into frequent acts of hostility, without ever once engaging in a pitched battle.” — Dodd.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14:29-31 The closing report concerning Rehoboam’s reign notes his constant strife with Jeroboam.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Which books were called the books of Shemaiah and Iddo the Prophets, 2 Chron. 12:15.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam . . ., are they not written in the book of the chronicles?--not the book so called and comprehended in the sacred canon, but the national archives of Judah.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(29) The chronicles of the kings of Judah.—In 2Ch_12:15 the acts of Rehoboam are said to be “written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies.”

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days. For though Rehoboam did not enter into an offensive war, and attack the children of Israel, being dissuaded from it by Shemaiah the prophet in the name of the Lord, yet he might maintain a defensive war; and though there were no pitched battles between them as afterwards, in his son's time, yet there might be skirmishes and bickerings on the borders of their countries.

1 Kings 14:31

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Such a book of chronicles as that mentioned above, 1Ki 14:19.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

29. Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah — This was in the kingdom of Judah what the book mentioned in 1Ki_14:19 was in the kingdom of Israel, namely, the roll of state papers prepared and kept by the king’s recorder, and containing the annals of the kings. 2Ch_12:15, informs us that the acts of Rehoboam were also written by Shemaiah and Iddo. See Introduction.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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? See on ver. 19.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?

This can be expressed in active form and assumes that the answer is positive. The question is rhetorical and is used for emphasis. AT: "they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah." or "you can read about them in the book of the events of the kings of Judah." (See: Active or Passive and Rhetorical Question)

the book of the events of the kings of Judah

This refers to a book that no longer exists.

There was constant warfare

"There was continuing war" or "There were constant battles"

warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam

The names of the kings represent themselves and their armies. AT: "the armies of Rehoboam and Jeroboam fought in battle again and again" or "Rehoboam and his people and Jeroboam and his people engaged in battle continually" (See: Synecdoche)

slept with his ancestors

Rehoboam dying is spoken of as if he had fallen asleep. See how you translated this in 1 Kings 2:10. AT: "died" (See: Metaphor and Euphemism)

was buried with them

This can be stated in active form. AT: "people buried him" (See: Active or Passive)

Naamah

This is the name of a woman. See how you translated this in 1 Kings 14:21. (See: How to Translate Names)

Abijah his son

"Abijah the son of Rehoboam"

became king in his place

The phrase "in his place" is a metaphor meaning "instead of him." AT: "became king instead of Rehoboam" (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

written

kingdom of Judah

Jeroboam

asleep

bury

city of David

Ammon

Abijah

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.