Definition: And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 11:21. It’s a really important and somewhat troubling passage about leadership and ambition. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a king who was incredibly obsessed with marrying a woman named Maachah, to the point where he prioritized her above all his other wives and concubines. It’s essentially saying he was completely consumed by love for her. Let's unpack it further: “And Rehoboam loved Maachah…” – This tells us who is involved. It refers to King Rehoboam, a king in the Book of 2 Chronicles. “…above all his wives and concubines” – This is the core of the problem. He was prioritizing her above everything else. This suggests he wasn’t just being fond of her; he was actively choosing her as his ultimate focus. “(for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters)” – This is where it gets a bit more complicated. The verse details the number of wives and concubines he had. It’s a staggering number – 18 wives and 30 concubines. It indicates a massive and potentially problematic amount of relationships. What's the significance? This is a warning about hubris (excessive pride) and ambition. King Rehoboam was so focused on his personal desires that he became reckless and foolish. He prioritized his own happiness and comfort over the well-being of his kingdom and people. His obsession with Maachah led to him making a terrible decision – he dismissed his advisors and refused to listen to their advice. Why is this a problem? It shows a lack of wisdom: Prioritizing one person over everyone else, especially when it comes to leadership, can lead to disastrous consequences. It highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition: This verse illustrates that being obsessed with personal desires can be destructive and ultimately harmful to those around you. Important Note: The Bible often uses imagery to show the consequences of bad behavior. In this case, the verse suggests that Rehoboam’s obsession with Maachah could have led to a breakdown in his kingdom. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of 2 Chronicles? Discuss the context surrounding this verse (like the story of the prophet Nathan)?