Rehoboam’s obedience to the prophet in 11:4 foreshadows the second phase of his reign, one characterized by faithfulness, which follows in 11:5–23. Here Rehoboam becomes an exemplar of the Chronicler’s historical principle, showing that with obedience and religious reform (11:13–17) comes divine blessing in the form of military fortification (11:5…
Baker Publishing Group, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, by Gary M. Burge