2 Chronicles 10:1

¶ And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.

And Rehoboam {H7346} went {H3212} to Shechem {H7927}: for to Shechem {H7927} were all Israel {H3478} come {H935} to make him king {H4427}.

Rechav'am went to Sh'khem, where all Isra'el had come in order to proclaim him king.

Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king.

And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:1 sets the stage for one of the most pivotal and tragic events in Israelite history: the division of the united monarchy. Following the death of King Solomon, his son Rehoboam travels to Shechem, a significant historical and religious center, where all Israel has gathered to formally acknowledge him as their new king.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of King Solomon's death and burial in Jerusalem. Rehoboam, as Solomon's designated heir, naturally assumes the throne. However, the scene is not set in Jerusalem, the established capital, but in Shechem. This choice of location is crucial: Shechem, located in the territory of Ephraim, had long served as a gathering place for the tribes, a place where covenants were renewed, as seen in Joshua's farewell address. Its selection by "all Israel" suggests that the northern tribes intended to negotiate terms for their allegiance to Rehoboam, rather than simply accepting him without question.

Key Themes

  • Succession and Authority: The verse highlights the formal process of royal succession in ancient Israel, where the people's consent was sought, or at least acknowledged, even for a hereditary monarch.
  • The Seeds of Division: While seemingly a routine event, this gathering at Shechem quickly becomes the crucible for the kingdom's split. The very act of gathering outside Jerusalem indicates underlying tensions and the desire of the tribes to assert their will.
  • Divine Purpose: Though not explicit in this verse, the subsequent events reveal God's hand in orchestrating the division of the kingdom, as prophesied to Solomon and Jeroboam (compare with 1 Kings 11:29-39).

Historical Significance

The journey of Rehoboam to Shechem marks the beginning of the end for the united kingdom of Israel, which had flourished under David and Solomon. The gathering was an opportunity for Rehoboam to solidify his rule and address the grievances of the people, particularly the heavy burdens imposed by Solomon's extensive building projects and taxation. His failure to heed the counsel of the elders, as detailed in the verses that follow, will lead directly to the secession of ten tribes, forming the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, and leaving only Judah and Benjamin loyal to the Davidic line in the southern kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 10:19).

Practical Application

This verse, though brief, introduces a narrative rich with lessons on leadership, counsel, and the consequences of decisions. It underscores the importance of humility and responsiveness in those who govern. Rehoboam's initial act of going to Shechem implies a recognition of the need to engage with the people, but his subsequent actions demonstrate the critical difference between merely appearing to listen and truly understanding and responding to the needs of those one leads. For believers today, it serves as a reminder that even in positions of authority, wisdom and compassion are paramount for fostering unity and well-being.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 3:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Solomon's son [was] Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

  • 1 Kings 4:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ So king Solomon was king over all Israel.

  • Joshua 24:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

  • 1 Chronicles 12:38 (2 votes)

    All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel [were] of one heart to make David king.

  • Joshua 20:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

  • Genesis 37:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.

  • Genesis 37:13 (2 votes)

    And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed [the flock] in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here [am I].