2 Chronicles 10:11

For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I [will chastise you] with scorpions.

For whereas {H6258} my father {H1} put {H6006} a heavy {H3515} yoke {H5923} upon you, I will put more {H3254} to your yoke {H5923}: my father {H1} chastised {H3256} you with whips {H7752}, but I will chastise you with scorpions {H6137}.

Yes, my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will make it heavier! My father controlled you with whips, but I [will control you] with scorpions!'"

Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:11 captures Rehoboam’s defiant and ill-fated response to the Israelites’ plea for lighter burdens, a moment that proved to be a turning point in the history of the united kingdom of Israel.

Context of 2 Chronicles 10:11

Following the death of King Solomon, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. The people of Israel, having endured heavy taxation and forced labor under Solomon’s reign for grand building projects like the Temple in Jerusalem and his own palace, approached Rehoboam with a request for relief. They appealed to him to lighten the "heavy yoke" his father had placed upon them. Rehoboam initially sought counsel, first from the older, experienced advisors who recommended a compassionate response, and then from his younger peers who advised a more severe approach. Tragically for his reign, Rehoboam rejected the wisdom of the elders and chose the harsh counsel of the young men, as expressed in this verse.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Arrogant and Unwise Leadership: Rehoboam’s words reveal a profound lack of empathy, humility, and foresight. His decision to increase the burden rather than alleviate it showcases the destructive nature of pride and refusal to heed sound advice. This directly contrasts with the principles of wise and just governance.
  • Consequences of Oppression: This verse is the direct catalyst for the division of the united kingdom. Rehoboam's oppressive promise led to the rebellion of ten tribes, who declared their independence and formed the Northern Kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, leaving Rehoboam only with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Although Rehoboam’s actions were born of human folly, the Chronicler notes that this division was ultimately "from God" (2 Chronicles 10:15), fulfilling a prophecy made to Solomon concerning his disobedience. This highlights how God can use even human sin and error to accomplish His sovereign purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery used by Rehoboam is stark and intentionally intimidating:

  • "Heavy yoke": The "yoke" (Hebrew: mol or 'ol) is a common biblical metaphor for servitude, burden, or oppression, often associated with labor or taxation. It vividly portrays the hardship the people experienced.
  • "Chastised you with whips... I will chastise you with scorpions": The term "whips" (Hebrew: shot) refers to standard instruments of corporal punishment. "Scorpions" (Hebrew: 'aqrabbim) in this context does not refer to the arachnid, but rather to a more severe, possibly spiked or knotted whip, designed to inflict much greater pain and injury. It metaphorically amplifies the intensity and cruelty of the punishment Rehoboam intended to impose, promising a tenfold increase in severity compared to his father's rule.

Reflection and Application

Rehoboam’s disastrous approach in 2 Chronicles 10:11 serves as a timeless warning against arrogant and unyielding leadership. For those in positions of authority, whether in government, business, or family, the verse underscores the vital importance of:

  • Listening and Empathy: True leadership requires listening to the concerns of those being led and responding with empathy, not disdain.
  • Humility and Wise Counsel: Rejecting sound, experienced advice in favor of self-serving or inflammatory counsel often leads to catastrophic outcomes.
  • The Power of Words: Rehoboam’s harsh words ignited a rebellion. Leaders must understand the profound impact of their rhetoric and choose words that build up rather than tear down.

Ultimately, this passage reminds us that while human choices have real consequences, God remains sovereign, weaving even the threads of human folly into the tapestry of His greater plan.

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 Samuel 8:18 (2 votes)

    And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

  • Exodus 5:5 (2 votes)

    And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now [are] many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

  • Exodus 5:9 (2 votes)

    Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

  • Exodus 1:13 (2 votes)

    And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

  • Exodus 1:14 (2 votes)

    And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, [was] with rigour.

  • Revelation 9:3 (2 votes)

    And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

  • Exodus 5:18 (2 votes)

    Go therefore now, [and] work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.