2 Chronicles 11:18-23 - Homilies By T. Whitelaw

A royal polygamist.

I. REHOBOAM 'S WIVES .

1 . The number of them. In all eighteen wives and sixty concubines. Solomon had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines ( 1 Kings 11:3 ). David even had more wives and concubines than was good for him ( 2 Samuel 3:2-5 ; 2 Samuel 5:13 ; 2 Samuel 12:8 ). Oriental monarchs generally had well-filled harems. Rameses II . had a hundred and nineteen children (sixty sons and fifty-nine daughters), "which gives ground for supposing a great number of concubines, besides his lawful wives". Poly- gamy was also permitted to, and practised by, the monarchs of Assyria, whose palaces accordingly were guarded by a whole army of eunuchs Sayce, 'Assyria, its Princes, Priests, and People,' p. 129).

2 . The chief of them.

II. REHOBOAM 'S CHILDREN .

1 . The number of his sons. Twenty-eight, among whom were

2 . The favourite amongst his sons. Abijah. Though not the firstborn, Rehoboam designated him as successor to the throne, no doubt to the injury and displeasure of the firstborn; but in doing so, if he obeyed not the Law ( Deuteronomy 21:16 ), he at least followed the example of David, who preferred Bathsheba's son Solomon to the throne, instead of his firstborn, Amnon the son of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess. He also made Abijah ruler among his brethren, set him at their head, appointed him as governor over them in the various state offices they held, and entrusted to him the crown treasures and the strongest cities (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 8.10. 1).

3 . The treatment of his other sons. He "dealt wisely" with them.

LESSONS .

1. The misery as well as sin of polygamy, leading as it does to divided affections and unjustifiable partialities.

2. The duty of dealing wisely with children, but not after the fashion of Rehoboam.—W.