So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

2 CHRONICLES 12:13KJV
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2 Chronicles 12:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 12:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 12:13 describes how King Rehoboam established his rule in Jerusalem, beginning his reign at age forty-one and ruling for seventeen years in the city chosen by the LORD as His special place. The verse also notes that Rehoboam’s mother was Naamah, an Ammonite woman.

This verse is part of a historical summary, giving basic facts about Rehoboam’s reign after earlier events of conflict and difficulty. The Chronicler highlights Jerusalem as the city God selected “to put his name there,” underlining its spiritual importance, and mentions Rehoboam’s mixed heritage through his mother, which may hint at the complexities in his rule.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 12:13

  • “Strengthened” (חָזַק, chazaq): This word means to become strong or secure. Here, it suggests Rehoboam managed to regain stability and authority in Jerusalem after earlier troubles.
  • “Chosen” (בָּחַר, bachar): This word means to select or choose. The verse stresses that Jerusalem was not just any city, but the one God specifically picked from all the tribes of Israel, highlighting its unique spiritual role.
  • “Name” (שֵׁם, shem): In Hebrew thought, God’s “name” represents His presence, reputation, and authority. Saying God put His name in Jerusalem means He made it the center of worship and His dwelling among the people.

Why 2 Chronicles 12:13 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jerusalem’s significance comes from God’s choice, not just its political or geographic position, which is a recurring theme in the Bible.
  • Mentioning Rehoboam’s mother, Naamah the Ammonitess, reminds readers that Israel’s kings sometimes had foreign influences in their background, which could affect their leadership and the nation’s direction.
  • This summary verse helps transition from the story of Rehoboam’s challenges to the next phase of Judah’s history, grounding the narrative in concrete details about his reign.

Where else these words appear

“Ammonitess” Hebrew H5985 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Kings 14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
  • 1 Kings 14:31 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:26 And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.

“Naamah” Hebrew H5279 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Joshua 15:41 And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:
  • 1 Kings 14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

“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.

“forty” Hebrew H705 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 5:13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.