And there are gathered. — Omit are.
Vain men (rĕqîm, Judges 9:4; Judges 11:3). — Said of the followers of Abimelech and the freebooter Jephthah. Neither this nor the following phrase, “the children of Belial” (literally, sons of worthlessness, i.e., men of low character and estimation) occurs again in the Chronicles. (See Judges 19:22; Judges 20:13; 1 Kings 21:10; 1 Kings 21:13, for the latter.)
Have strengthened. — Omit have.
Young and tender-hearted. — Rather, a youth and soft of heart, faint-hearted. A similar phrase occurred 1 Chronicles 29:1. The expression is somewhat inexact, as Rehoboam was forty-one when he ascended the throne (2 Chronicles 12:13). But Abijah is naturally anxious to put the case as strongly as possible against Jeroboam, and to avoid all blame of his own father. In 2 Chronicles 10 Rehoboam appears as haughty and imperious, rather than timid and soft-hearted.
Could not withstand them. — Did not show himself strong or firm (2 Chronicles 12:13).
Against them. — Before them. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 12:17; a usage of the chronicler’s.)