12:1-2 Rehoboam served god for the first three years of his reign 2 Chronicles 11:17 So now, two years after he had ceased to walk in the ways of his father David - notice not Solomon - things begin to go wrong.
God had given him two years in which to think about what he was doing before bringing the evil upon him. Such is the mercy of Yahweh.

13:4 That the area of 'Mount Ephraim' compassed a large area is seen from the following passages which show the names of a number of cities in the area and another mountain.
Timnathserah Joshua 19:50
Shechem Joshua 20:7
Bethel Judges 4:5
Shamir Judges 10:1
Ramathaimzophim 1 Samuel 1:1
Mount Zemaraim 2 Chronicles 13:4

12:9 The removal by the Egyptians of the wealth and the shields of God from Solomon's temple happened so short a time after Solomon had made all these things. The flesh cannot sustain the kingdom of God on earth - for that is what Solomon reigned over (1 Chronicles 29:23)

13:4-10 Abijah's tirade against Israel is an odd mixture of truth and falsity. He ignored the fact that the ten tribes had been taken from the line of David by God (1 Kings 11:31) even though he is correct in his assessment of the idolatry of Israel. We can so easily mix falsity with truth to further our cause.

"Rehoboam did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD" (2 Chronicles 12 v 14)

I have lost count of the amount of times I have heard it said, "If I just live a good life, that will be enough." Or, in other words, "God will be pleased with me if I am nice to people, even though I don't read his Bible, pray, or even really believe in him." Let us get this straight right now. God requires more of us than just "living a good life." Over and over we are told in the Bible to seek the LORD. We are told that our faith in God and in his promises will be counted for righteousness. Do we even know his promises? Have we read his Bible to know how he wants us to live? Or do we just try to live by the memory of what we read once or by what our Pastor told us?

What will the summary of our life sound like at the end of our days? Will it be hearing the word of the Lord Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant … Come and share your master’s happiness."? (Matthew 25 v 21). Or will the summary of our life be more like that of Rehoboam's of whom it was said, "He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD." The words of Jesus would then follow when he said, "Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25 v 30)

We must seek the LORD now, while he may be found. There is no alternative!

12:7 Despite the sinfulness of the nation because some 'humbles themselves' God was willing to provide 'some deliverance' so we see the great mercy of God.

13:18 Judah's conflict with Israel was one which often saw Judah being put to the worse by Israel. In this case we se their trust in God was the only reason why Judah prevailed.

Judah and Israel were at war. Judah had everything against them – it seemed. They were outnumbered 2:1. Judah had 40,000 troops and Israel had 80,000. They were fighting on Israel’s territory – not familiar ground for the people of Judah. Judah found themselves surrounded – being attacked from the front and from behind. Normally with all these disadvantages Judah would have lost badly. But they had a weapon that Israel had forgotten about.

"God is with us; he is our leader," Abijah cried. "We have not forsaken him!" And as the battle was joined, God, the leader If Judah, brought about a great defeat of Israel. 50,000 men of Israel fell that day – more than the entire army of Judah that went out to fight.

When life seems to turn against us, when friends turn against us or when bad things happen and there seems to be no way out, that is the time to remember that if we are with God, he is with us. He is our leader and will lead us. He will see that we are victorious in his way. So let us have God with us and make him our leader today and every day.

12:13 In saying that the mother of Rehoboam was an 'Ammonitess' we learn that  in reality Rehoboam was barred from the throne through his ancestry.(Deut 23:3)

13:10  Abijam is rather economical with the truth here for we learn in 1Kin 15:3 that he walked in the sins of his father.

The sad comment in the first verse is written for our learning (2Chron 12:1). When Rehoboam became settled in as king, "he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him."  When people come into the Truth, and the teaching, or "the bringing through", has been completed, then the real conversion starts.  The newly baptised person will be dismayed that the old habits, and some of the old ways of thinking, and living, will keep returning. They will discover that "being baptised" is not the answer to all their problems. They will need constant help and succouring. Let's remember this verse about Rehoboam, and really make an effort to support our new converts, lest they too forsake the Lord.

13:18 This incident clearly illustrates the extent of the mercy of the Lord even to a rebellious people. In spite of their waywardness and their neglect of His law, in spite of their idolatry, He was prepared to hear them, and to deliver when they called upon Him.

The fact that there was still in Judah a faithful remnant was sufficent reason for God to deliver the whole nation from their enenies. This is something that must never be lost sight of: God is mindful of His servents in all ages, and His hand is ever ready to stretch out on their behalf.

12:9,10 The taking away of the shields of gold and replacing them with ones made out of bronze was synonymous with the decline of the nation.  Gold, which cannot tarnish, represents righteousness, while bronze represents humanity.  Thus, the slide from a glorious kingdom, blessed by Yahweh, to the destruction of the kingdom was set in motion. 

12:2  There is a certain irony in the fact that Egypt came against Rehoboam. Israel had been delivered from Egypt under Moses and now there is a risk of bondage again, but Jeroboam had lived safely in Egypt and was now reigning in Samaria!

13:2-3 So there was war between Israel and Judah even though Rehoboam had been told not to go to war with Jeroboam. 2Chron 11:4

13:12 The warning given to Jeroboam, meant nothing to him. His army had lured the army of Judah, under the leadership of Abijam into a trap, with the enemy in front of them, and also behind them. We read that when Judah cried unto the LORD, the army of Jeroboam fled from the armies of Judah, and were defated (V.13-18). This was a mortal blow to Jeroboam from which he never recovered. 

12:4-6  In taking the fenced cities and came to Jerusalem Shiskak was doing what Assyria would do in the days of Hezekiah. 2Kin 18:13

13:21 So Abijah multiplied wives to himself – in direct violation of God’s instruction to the King – Deut 17:17

12:1 So Rehoboam ‘soon forgot’ God. He was just like the people who did not remember the deliverance in the wilderness. So rather than being an example to the people he imitated their failures.

2Chron 12:13 First Principles>Kingdom of God>Was overturned>History of fulfilment
3. During the reign of Rehoboam, the kingdom was divided into a Southern, two tribe kingdom with its capital in Jerusalem 2Chron 12:13 and a Northern ten tribe kingdom with its capital in Samaria 1Kin 12:15.
Rehoboam remained king of Judah 1Kin 12:16,18, 2Chron 10:16,17. Jeroboam became king of Israel 1Kin 12:20.
Go to Deut 28:49 to see more details of the history of Israel and its overturning.

13:15-16 That the deliverance was of God can be seen that Judah were outnumbered two to one – 2Chron 13:3

2Chron 12:1 - When Rehoboam's position as king was established he abandoned the law of the Lord; when Christ returns and is established as king the law will go forth out of Zion (Isa 2:3).

2Chron 13:1,2,8,10,11,12,18 -- V1 - perhaps "Abijah" [(29) means "Jah is (my) Father"] was an echo of Christ; V2 - reigned 3 years, V8 - kingdom of the Lord in the hands of David's descendants; V10 - the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him; V11 - burnt offerings, a table with bread not unlike the memorial table and gold holding the light; V12 - God is with us (meaning of "Immanuel"); V18 - they were victorious because they relied on the Lord.

2Chron 13:4 - double fleece reminds of the sign given to Gideon who is perhaps an echo of Christ and the great Jubilee to come (Josh 18:22;Judg 6:36-40).

2Chron 13:5 - covenant of salt - eating another's salt is a token of fidelity and friendship and is an unbreakable covenant (Num 18:19); salt preserves decay, gives savour and accompanied all offerings (Lev 2:13); salt is a symbol of faithfulness, faithful believers, and is associated with Christ as salt accompanies all sacrifices and is a preservative (Matt 5:13;Luke 14:34).

Vs.8,9 Mortals worshipping in the future temple will enter through one gate (either north or south) but exit through the opposite gate.  Contrast this with the priest who will enter and exit the same way on the east gate of the inner court. 

The movement of people represents the transience of human nature (mortality) as it passes through life never to return.  The movement of the priest (who stands for Yahweh) shows permanence (immortality) never to fade.

Who is the Prince?
I believe a correct understanding of this prophecy requires Christ as the Prince. The following verses offer the proof. The tip off as well is in studying the goings in and goings out(movements) that are offered as comments above. Understanding that only the sons of Zadok(immortal priest) have privileges at the altar shows that this inner area(Most Holy) is the immortal zone. The Prince, who is allowed here as well, is also of those that may approach the holy hill(Psa 24:3,4). Also, Please see my comments from Oct 18th on the mortal/immortal priests.
This is not the first time that Ezekiel spoke about a Prince in age to come.
Eze 37:24,25
...And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: ... and my servant David shall be their prince forever.
• This is a prophecy about the restoration of Israel as Kingdom of God
• Prince given a name – My servant David
• Is a king over them [Israel]
• Will be their prince for ever
• Must be Jesus Christ
Luke 1:32,33 ...He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Dan 9:25 ...unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Isa 9:6  ...For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Acts 3:14,15 ...But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Acts 5:30, 31 ...The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Rev 1:5 ...And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
• Other verses to support that Christ is the Prince from Ezekiel:
Eze. 34:23, 24 ...I will set up one shepherd over them…24 my servant David a prince among them Eze. 37:22,24,25,28 .I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all…24David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd…25my servant David shall be their prince for ever…28when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
Eze. 44:2-3 ...This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. 3It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD…
But what about Eze 46:18? If Christ is indeed the prince, why would this be included? Christ wouldn’t take anything by oppression, so why say this if he is the prince?
o Israel’s princes had dealt by oppression with the stranger, Eze. 22:6-7,12.
o Her princes had gotten dishonest gain and oppressed the stranger wrongfully, vs. 27-29.
o There is a future time when God’s princes shall no more oppress my people, Eze. 45:7-10.
o The Prince is he who shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor, Psa. 72:2-4,13-14. See also Isa. 11:1-5.
o This is not a law telling the prince what he cannot do, but a statement indicating what the prince will not do, in contrast with what has been done in the past.
And if Christ is the prince, then why would he have sons to give inheritance to?
o The Saints are said to be the children of Abraham (Gal. 3:7), the patriarchs (Acts 13:32-33), Paul (1Cor. 4:14-17) and the apostle John (1Jn. 2:1).
o Jesus referred to the disciples as his children or sons: Mark 2:18-19; John 13:33
o We are the children which God hath given him, Heb. 2:10-13 (from Isa. 8:18).
The Prince eats bread & drinks wine in kingdom (Luke 22:15,16,30).
See yesterday's comments as to why Messiah the Prince might offer a sin offering in Chapter 45:22.

46:16-17  The provision for gifts from the ‘prince’ to his sons and servants matches what the law of the year of release would require under the law of Moses if the ‘gift’ related to land or house which was not in a city. Anther clear indication that the law of Moses, or something very similar to that, will be instituted in the kingdom when Christ reigns on earth.

46:1 In describing the opening and shutting of this gate we learn, almost incidentally, that the sabbath will be observed during the millennial reign of Jesus.

46:18 Ahab took the inheritance of Naboth by oppression. Clearly this ‘prince’ will not do such a thing, it is a comment to the people that the ‘prince’ who will rule will be unlike any that have ruled before.

46:2 That the gate was to be open all day, and this point is stressed, indicates the existence of fellowship. Jesus set before those that would follow him ‘an open door’ Rev 3:8 It is the responsibility of those who would seek Jesus to go through it.

13:4 the washing of the disciples feet was a consequence of them arguing about who was going to be the greatest Luke 22:24 Jesus, rather than simply speaking to them, did something. We should learn from this that often actions speak louder than words.

14:6 Jesus and the disciples are still in the upper room. He is preparing them for his imminent death. In speaking about coming to God by him he is restating what he told them about the good shepherd John 10:9. Look in this area of John for other allusions to what Jesus said about the good shepherd in chapter 10.

13:18 The quotation from Psalm 41:9 which speaks of the treachery of Ahithophel shows that Judas behaved just like him. There are a number of clear links between Judas and Ahithophel in the gospels and Acts 1 which are interesting to follow up using your marginal references.

The number of times that Jesus uses the word 'abide' in the upper room and on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane should cause us to ponder what he was teaching his disciples and what we should be learning from this.

Here is a list of all uses of the word in John 14 and John 15.

The use of 3438 / 3306 'mansions' / 'Abide' on the last night of Jesus' life.

So, as can be seen from the use of this Greek word from the upper room towards the Garden of Gethsemane, a major topic is being introduced. The information was firstly given to Peter in response to his need to be comforted after being told that he will betray Jesus [John 13:38]. But the abiding of Jesus after his resurrection and ascension is of paramount importance to all the disciples.

13:49 We have noticed a number of times that Jesus relied on God for his words. We have seen also that whilst the leaders did not see Jesus as 'that prophet' the common people did. Now Jesus. in quoting Deuteronomy 18:18 quite clearly is claiming to be 'that prophet'.

14:18 When Jesus says 'fatherless' here the Greek word is 'orphans' so in a very intimate way Jesus is speaking of the way in which the disciples will be comforted. However whilst he says 'orphans' he is the one who will 'come' - and his is not our father. So what do we think Jesus is saying?

13 An obvious point, really, but John, whilst spending more time speaking of the events of this last night in the life of the lord, does not actually mention the last supper.

14:9 In saying 'if ye have seen me ye have seen the Father' Jesus is representing what he has already said (12:45) clearly indicating that it is not physical appearance that is important. It is the character of God that Jesus manifested - which is just what He manifest to Moses (Exo 34:5-7)

13:9 The disciples were ‘clean’ because of the fact that they had taken Jesus’ words to heart – John 15:3  which is itself a development of what David understood Psa 119:9.

14:29 In telling the disciples that when the event happened they would believe is Jesus appealing to the test of the validity of a prophet. , Deut 18:22, by implication.

13:22-23 Isn’t it amazing that the disciples did not know, even at this late our, who would betray Jesus? They had all spent time with Judas and seen Jesus’ behaviour towards Judas – and yet still knew noting! How often we show our feelings so that every one knows what we think of brethren for whom we do not have a high regard. Jesus is a wonderful example for us to emulate here.

14:22 Jesus is ‘manifest’ to the disciples but not to the world because the disciples ‘know’ him though the way he is revealed in Scripture – the world do not ‘see’ that.

13:13 Jesus reminds the disciples that they call him both ‘master’ and ‘lord’ however it is interesting to notice – Matt 26:22,25– that when we see Judas actually addressing Jesus that he does not call him ‘lord’ but just ‘master’. Judas did not seem to actually appreciate the status of Jesus.

13:30 The way that John says Judas ‘went immediately out’ is a concept which he develops in 1John 2:19