2 Chronicles 13:9

7 Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them.

8 And now you think you can resist the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hands of David’s descendants. You are indeed a vast army, and you have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods.

But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods.

10 But as for us, the LORD is our God. We have not forsaken Him; the priests who minister to the LORD are sons of Aaron, and the Levites attend to their duties.

11 Every morning and every evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table, and every evening they light the lamps of the gold lampstand. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God, while you have forsaken Him.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods.
KJV
Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
WEB
Haven’t you driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves according to the ways of the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may be a priest of those who are no gods.
ASV
Have ye not driven out the priests of Jehovah, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made you priests after the manner of the peoples of [other] lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of [them that are] no gods.
DARBY
Have ye not cast out the priests of Jehovah, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made you priests as the peoples of the lands? whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, he becomes a priest of what is not God.
BLB
Have you⁺ not cast out the priests of YHWH, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of the lands? Everyone comes to consecrate himself with a bull, a son of the herd, and seven rams, and he will be a priest of [what are] not gods.
ÅB
Har dere ikke jaget bort Herrens prester, Arons sønner, og levittene og selv gjort dere prester, som folkene i hedningelandene gjør? Hver den som kommer med en ung okse og syv værer for å fylle sin hånd, han blir prest for disse guder som ikke er guder.
OTB
Har dere ikke drevet ut Herrens prester, Arons sønner og levittene, og laget prester for dere selv som folkene i landene? Hvem som helst som kommer for å innvie seg med en okse og syv værer, kan til og med bli prest for det som ikke er guder.
B1930
Har I ikke jaget bort Herrens prester, Arons sønner, og levittene og selv gjort eder prester, som folkene i hedningelandene gjør? Hver den som kommer med en ung okse og syv værer for å fylle sin hånd, han blir prest for disse guder som ikke er guder.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Chronicles 11:14–15

    For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 2:11

    Has a nation ever changed its gods, though they are no gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 29:35

    This is what you are to do for Aaron and his sons based on all that I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 32:29

    Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”

    Read in context
  • Galatians 4:8

    Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 12:31–33

    Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites.

    Read in context
  • Hosea 8:6

    For this thing is from Israel— a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 16:32

    The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments

    Read in context