2 chronicles 11:18 - Rehoboam took a wife for himself, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 11:18

What does "2 chronicles 11:18" mean?


This verse from 2 Chronicles 11:18 is a genealogical statement about Rehoboam's wife, Mahalath. It's important to unpack it to understand its significance:

Rehoboam: Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and became the king of Judah after Solomon's death. His reign is notable for the division of the kingdom of Israel.

Mahalath: Mahalath was one of Rehoboam's wives. The Bible often mentions wives of kings to establish lineage and legitimacy of succession.

Jerimoth the son of David: Mahalath's father, Jerimoth, was a descendant of King David. This is highlighted to emphasize Mahalath's royal lineage and connection to the Davidic dynasty.

Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse: Mahalath's mother, Abihail, was the daughter of Eliab, who was the son of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David. This further reinforces Mahalath's connection to the Davidic line on both her paternal and maternal sides.

Significance and possible interpretations:

Strengthening Legitimacy: By marrying Mahalath, who had strong Davidic lineage on both sides of her family, Rehoboam may have been trying to solidify his own claim to the throne and reinforce the legitimacy of his rule as a descendant of David. It could have been a strategic marriage to ensure loyalty and prevent rival claims.

Emphasis on Davidic Line: The verse's focus on tracing Mahalath's lineage back to David reflects the importance of the Davidic covenant in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The dynasty's legitimacy was tied to David's lineage.

Royal Family Relations: It is possible that Jerimoth and Abihail were cousins or otherwise closely related since they were both descendants of David. These intra-family marriages were not uncommon in ancient royal families.

Historical Record: The verse serves as a historical record, providing information about the royal family and its relationships.

In summary, the verse highlights the royal lineage of Rehoboam's wife, Mahalath, through both her parents, emphasizing their descent from King David. This likely served to strengthen Rehoboam's claim to the throne and reinforce the importance of the Davidic dynasty in Judah.

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