And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.

2 CHRONICLES 11:22KJV
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2 Chronicles 11:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 11:22 mean?

2 Chronicles 11:22 describes how King Rehoboam chose Abijah, the son of Maachah, to be the chief among his brothers and intended to make him the next king. This verse shows Rehoboam's decision to give Abijah a special position of authority within the royal family.

Rehoboam, who was ruling over Judah at this time, is making a clear choice about succession by elevating Abijah above his other sons. The verse highlights both the family dynamics in the royal household and Rehoboam’s planning for the future leadership of the kingdom.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 11:22

  • רֹאשׁ (rosh, "chief"): This word means "head" or "chief," emphasizing that Abijah was placed in the highest position among his brothers, not just as a favored son but as the leader.
  • נָגִיד (nagid, "ruler"): This term often means a leader or prince, someone with official authority. By using this word, the verse shows that Abijah was given real governing power, not just a title.
  • מֶלֶךְ (melek, "king"): The word for "king" makes it clear that Rehoboam’s intention was not only to give Abijah authority now but to set him up as the future king, showing a deliberate plan for succession.

Why 2 Chronicles 11:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Rehoboam’s choice of Abijah was intentional and official, not just a matter of family favoritism, but a political decision about the future of the kingdom.
  • The emphasis on Abijah being made both "chief" and "ruler" shows the formal process of preparing a successor, which helps explain later events in the narrative.
  • Understanding these terms helps the reader see the importance of succession planning in the ancient monarchy and the potential for rivalry among royal siblings.

Where else these words appear

“Maachah” Hebrew H4601 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 22:24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.
  • 1 Kings 15:10 And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:

“Abijah” Hebrew H29 · used in 25 verses

  • 1 Samuel 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
  • 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.
  • 2 Chronicles 13:20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.

“Rehoboam” Hebrew H7346 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 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?
  • 2 Chronicles 11:1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

“ruler” Hebrew H5057 · used in 44 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:2 And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.