2 Chronicles 10:13

KJV

And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} answered {H6030} them roughly {H7186}; and king {H4428} Rehoboam {H7346} forsook {H5800} the counsel {H6098} of the old men {H2205},

Complete Jewish Bible

and the king answered them harshly. Abandoning the advice of the older men, King Rechav'am

Berean Standard Bible

And the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders

American Standard Version

And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 10:13 marks the tragic turning point in the history of the united monarchy of Israel, detailing King Rehoboam's fateful and defiant decision. Ignoring the sagacious advice of the seasoned elders who had served his father, Solomon, Rehoboam instead adopted the aggressive and self-serving counsel of his younger peers, delivering a harsh and unyielding response to the people's plea for relief from burdensome taxation and labor. This pivotal moment of prideful rejection of wisdom directly precipitated the schism of the kingdom, forever altering the trajectory of Israelite history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of a critical narrative sequence following the death of King Solomon. The people of Israel, gathered at Shechem, approach Rehoboam with a petition to alleviate the oppressive "heavy yoke" of service and taxation imposed by his father ([2 Chronicles 10:3-4](/2_chronicles/10-3 "2 Chronicles 10:3-4 - The People's Plea")). Rehoboam initially seeks counsel, first from the older, experienced advisors who had served Solomon ([2 Chronicles 10:6](/2_chronicles/10-6 "2 Chronicles 10:6 - Rehoboam Consults the Elders")), and then from the young men with whom he had grown up ([2 Chronicles 10:8](/2_chronicles/10-8 "2 Chronicles 10:8 - Rehoboam Consults the Young Men")). The elders advocate for a gentle, servant-hearted approach, promising the people's lifelong loyalty if he would speak kindly ([2 Chronicles 10:7](/2_chronicles/10-7 "2 Chronicles 10:7 - The Elders' Wise Counsel")). In stark contrast, the young men urge him to declare an even greater burden, asserting his authority with an iron fist ([2 Chronicles 10:9-11](/2_chronicles/10-9 "2 Chronicles 10:9-11 - The Young Men's Harsh Counsel")). Verse [2 Chronicles 10:13](/2_chronicles/10-13 "2 Chronicles 10:13 - Rehoboam's Fateful Decision") reveals Rehoboam's disastrous choice to publicly embrace the latter, directly setting the stage for the rebellion of the ten northern tribes and the subsequent division of the kingdom, as detailed in the verses immediately following ([2 Chronicles 10:16-19](/2_chronicles/10-16 "2 Chronicles 10:16-19 - The Kingdom Divides")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The transition of power from a highly successful monarch like Solomon to his son was a critical juncture in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. Shechem was a historically significant location for Israelite assemblies, dating back to the time of Joshua, making it a natural place for the people to convene and present their grievances to the new king ([Joshua 24:1](/joshua/24-1 "Joshua 24:1 - Covenant Renewal at Shechem")). The "yoke" referred to the forced labor and heavy taxation that Solomon had implemented to fund his vast building projects, including the temple and his palace, which had become a significant burden on the populace ([1 Kings 12:4](/1_kings/12-4 "1 Kings 12:4 - Solomon's Heavy Yoke")). Culturally, it was expected that a new king would listen to his people and address their concerns, often beginning his reign with acts of benevolence. The role of "elders" (זְקֵנִים, _zĕqēnîm_) in Israelite society was paramount; they were respected figures of wisdom, experience, and authority, whose counsel was typically highly valued. Rehoboam's rejection of their advice, particularly in favor of the counsel of his "young men" (יְלָדִים, _yĕlādîm_), signifies a profound cultural and political misstep, demonstrating a disregard for established wisdom and a preference for assertive, perhaps even tyrannical, rule.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Rejection of Wise Counsel**, a recurring motif in wisdom literature, especially in the book of Proverbs, where the pursuit and acceptance of wisdom are consistently lauded as paths to life and prosperity, while its rejection leads to ruin ([Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wisdom in Counsel") and [Proverbs 15:22](/proverbs/15-22 "Proverbs 15:22 - Plans Fail for Lack of Counsel")). Rehoboam's actions serve as a stark negative example. Secondly, the narrative underscores the **Dangers of Pride and Arrogance in Leadership**. Rehoboam's desire to assert absolute control and his unwillingness to humble himself and serve the people ultimately led to the fragmentation of his kingdom, illustrating the biblical principle that "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" ([Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")). Finally, while Rehoboam's decision was rooted in human folly, the Chronicler, like the author of Kings, emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty** in the unfolding events. The narrative explicitly states that this turn of events was "from the Lord" ([2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - The Lord's Doing")), fulfilling the prophecy made to Jeroboam concerning the division of the kingdom ([1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")), demonstrating that even human sin and foolishness can serve God's ultimate purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Roughly (Hebrew, _qasheh'_):** This adverb describes Rehoboam's manner of speaking. The Hebrew word _qasheh_ means "hard, severe, cruel, harsh, difficult." It conveys an unyielding, ungracious, and confrontational tone. It suggests not merely a firm answer, but one delivered with an intent to dominate and intimidate, lacking any empathy or desire for reconciliation. This word choice immediately signals the king's character and the impending negative outcome.
* **Forsook (Hebrew, _ʿāzav'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate and conscious abandonment, a turning away from. It is not merely an oversight or a failure to consider, but an active rejection. Rehoboam "forsook" the counsel of the old men, implying that he weighed both options and decisively chose to discard the path of wisdom and humility in favor of the path of power and arrogance. This word emphasizes the intentionality of his destructive choice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king answered them roughly":** This clause describes Rehoboam's public declaration to the assembled people. His response was not conciliatory or diplomatic, but harsh and confrontational. This immediate, ungracious tone set the stage for the people's reaction, signaling his intent to rule with an even heavier hand than his father. It was a direct affront to their plea and a clear indication of his prideful disposition.
* **"and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men":** This second clause reveals the underlying reason for his rough answer. Rehoboam had been presented with two distinct paths: one of gentle service and wisdom (from the elders), and one of harsh assertion of power (from the young men). By "forsaking" the elders' counsel, he consciously and deliberately rejected the path that would have preserved the unity of the kingdom. This act of abandonment highlights his lack of discernment and his preference for self-aggrandizement over the well-being of his people.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse to convey its profound significance. **Juxtaposition** is central, as Rehoboam's "rough" answer stands in stark contrast to the "good words" and gentle counsel offered by the elders, which would have ensured the people's loyalty. This highlights the king's poor judgment and the two divergent paths available to him. The verse also functions as powerful **Foreshadowing**, as Rehoboam's harshness and rejection of wisdom immediately signal the impending catastrophe of the kingdom's division. His words are not merely a response but a catalyst for the national upheaval that follows. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony**: Rehoboam's attempt to assert absolute authority and control through a "rough" answer and increased burdens ultimately results in the loss of the vast majority of his kingdom. His desire for more power leads directly to him having significantly less, demonstrating the self-defeating nature of pride.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Rehoboam's tragic decision in 2 Chronicles 10:13 serves as a profound theological object lesson, echoing themes woven throughout the biblical narrative concerning leadership, wisdom, and the consequences of pride. His failure to heed the counsel of the elders underscores the divine value placed on wisdom, particularly that which comes from experience and a humble spirit, as opposed to the foolishness that often accompanies arrogance and a desire for unchecked power. This episode reminds us that true authority is often exercised through service and humility, not through domination. Moreover, while Rehoboam's choice was a product of his own sin and folly, the Chronicler's note that "it was a turn of affairs brought about by God" ([2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - The Lord's Doing")) highlights God's overarching sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to work even through human sin to fulfill His prophetic word and sovereign plan.

* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wisdom in Counsel")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [1 Kings 12:15](/1_kings/12-15 "1 Kings 12:15 - The Lord's Doing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rehoboam's story is a timeless cautionary tale for all who hold positions of leadership, whether in the church, the home, the workplace, or civic life, and indeed for every individual facing significant decisions. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly open to wise counsel, especially when it contradicts our preconceived notions or challenges our pride? Do we value the experience and wisdom of those who have walked a longer path, or are we more inclined to listen to voices that affirm our desires for control and self-assertion? Effective leadership, and indeed effective living, requires humility, a willingness to serve, and the discernment to distinguish between sound, selfless advice and self-serving flattery. Before making crucial decisions, particularly those that impact others, we must prayerfully consider the long-term consequences of our words and actions, lest our short-sightedness and pride lead to division and regret.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life, whether personal or professional, am I most resistant to receiving counsel, especially from those with more experience?**
* **How might pride manifest in my own decision-making process, causing me to "answer roughly" or "forsake" wise advice?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a spirit of humility and openness to counsel, recognizing that true wisdom often comes from unexpected sources?**

### FAQ
**Why did Rehoboam reject the elders' counsel in favor of the young men's advice?**

Answer: Rehoboam's rejection of the elders' counsel stemmed primarily from a combination of pride, a desire to assert absolute authority, and the influence of his younger, less experienced peers. The elders advised a path of servant leadership and humility, which would have required Rehoboam to "serve" the people and speak "good words" to them ([2 Chronicles 10:7](/2_chronicles/10-7 "2 Chronicles 10:7 - The Elders' Wise Counsel")). This likely felt like a weakening of his royal power. In contrast, the young men appealed to his desire for strength and control, urging him to declare that he would increase the people's burdens, asserting his dominance from the outset ([2 Chronicles 10:10-11](/2_chronicles/10-10 "2 Chronicles 10:10-11 - The Young Men's Harsh Counsel")). Rehoboam, lacking the wisdom and humility of his father Solomon in his early reign, chose the path that promised immediate, unchallenged power, ultimately leading to his downfall. Moreover, the text explicitly states that this turn of events was "from the Lord" ([2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - The Lord's Doing")), indicating a divine purpose behind his human folly.

**What was the immediate consequence of Rehoboam's decision to answer the people roughly?**

Answer: The immediate and devastating consequence of Rehoboam's rough answer and his rejection of wise counsel was the rebellion of the ten northern tribes of Israel. Upon hearing his harsh words, the people declared, "What portion have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse! To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!" ([2 Chronicles 10:16](/2_chronicles/10-16 "2 Chronicles 10:16 - The People's Rebellion")). They then made Jeroboam their king, leaving Rehoboam to rule only over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin ([2 Chronicles 10:17-19](/2_chronicles/10-17 "2 Chronicles 10:17-19 - The Kingdom Divides")). This pivotal event marked the permanent division of the united monarchy of Israel into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), a schism that profoundly shaped the subsequent history of God's people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Rehoboam's disastrous leadership, characterized by pride, harshness, and the rejection of wise counsel, stands in stark contrast to the perfect leadership of Jesus Christ. Where Rehoboam sought to impose a heavier yoke and assert his own power, Jesus invites us to take His "yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Gentle Yoke")). Rehoboam's arrogance led to division and the loss of his kingdom; Christ's humility, exemplified in His self-emptying and obedience even to death on a cross, brought about reconciliation and the establishment of an eternal kingdom ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")). Unlike Rehoboam, who forsook wisdom, Jesus is the very embodiment of God's wisdom, "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Wisdom of God")). He is the true and faithful King who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, Jesus unites those who were once divided, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility and bringing peace ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), offering a stark and glorious contrast to the division wrought by Rehoboam's folly.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 42:30

The man, [who is] the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.

1 Samuel 25:10

And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who [is] David? and who [is] the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

1 Samuel 25:11

Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give [it] unto men, whom I know not whence they [be]?

Genesis 42:7

¶ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

2 Chronicles 10:8

But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

Exodus 10:28

And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in [that] day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

1 Kings 20:6

Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, [that] whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put [it] in their hand, and take [it] away.