2 Chronicles 11:14

“For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, etc.] The cities and the fields adjacent to them, which were given them in the several tribes, and were in all forty eight; (see <062101>Joshua 21:1-41) and came to Judah and Jerusalem; to the cities of Judah, which belonged to the Levites; and to Jerusalem, where they exercised their functions: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from exercising the priest’s office unto the Lord; neither suffering them to go to Jerusalem in their courses, as they used to do by turns, nor to perform their office in their own dwellings, according to the law of God, in teaching and instructing the people.”

“Jeroboam probably confiscated the Levitical lands for the benefit of this new priesthood. Under these circumstances the priests and Levites emigrated in large numbers to the southern kingdom; an act which was followed by a general emigration of the more pious Israelites 2 Chronicles 11:16. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Cast them off - They would not suffer them to instruct the Israelites in the worship of God, nor to go up to Jerusalem to worship in their courses: and these priests would not join with them in the worship of the calves, as they were commanded to do; and therefore they, willingly forsook all their patrimonies and possessions for God's sake. No secular advantages whatsoever should detain us there, where we are in danger of making shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. 2 Chronicles 11:15”

“suburbs: Num 35:2-5; Josh. 21:20-42; 1Chr. 6:66-81 their possession: Lev 27:30-34; Num 18:21-28 Jeroboam: Ch2 13:9; Kg1 12:28-33, Kg1 13:33 2 Chronicles 11:15”