Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

2 Chronicles 10:17

Next

But [as for] the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

But as for the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} that dwelt {H3427} in the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, Rehoboam {H7346} reigned {H4427} over them.

But as for the people of Isra'el living in the cities of Y'hudah, Rechav'am ruled over them.

but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.

But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:17 provides a crucial clarification following the dramatic split of the Israelite kingdom. After the ten northern tribes rebelled against King Rehoboam, this verse identifies the segment of the population that remained loyal to him, forming the basis of the southern kingdom.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of the rebellion of the northern tribes against Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. Rehoboam, having rejected the wise counsel of the elders and instead heeded his young, inexperienced advisors (2 Chronicles 10:8-14), declared his intention to increase the burdens on the people, which Solomon had already imposed. This foolish decision, rooted in arrogance and a lack of understanding of his people's grievances, directly led to the fracturing of the united monarchy established by David and Solomon. The ten tribes of Israel (excluding Judah and Benjamin) then appointed Jeroboam as their king, establishing the northern Kingdom of Israel. Verse 17 clarifies that Rehoboam's dominion was reduced to those Israelites who resided within the geographical boundaries of Judah, which included the tribe of Benjamin.

Key Themes

  • The Divided Monarchy: This verse marks a definitive point in Israelite history, the permanent split into the Kingdom of Judah (south) and the Kingdom of Israel (north). It highlights the enduring consequences of Rehoboam's poor leadership and Solomon's earlier spiritual compromises (1 Kings 11:11-13).
  • Loyalty and Remnant: While the majority rebelled, a significant portion of the "children of Israel" remained under Rehoboam's rule. This underscores that even in widespread apostasy or rebellion, there is often a faithful remnant that maintains allegiance.
  • Consequences of Leadership: The narrative vividly portrays how a leader's choices, particularly an unwillingness to listen to experienced counsel and a desire for power over service, can have devastating and lasting national implications.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "children of Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, emphasizing their shared heritage. The distinction here is geographical and political: those "that dwelt in the cities of Judah" were still part of the larger Israelite family but now formed the loyal core of Rehoboam's truncated kingdom. This verse uses the term "Israel" broadly to refer to the people, even as it describes their division into two distinct political entities.

Practical Application

The account of the divided kingdom serves as a powerful historical lesson. For leaders, it emphasizes the vital importance of humility, wisdom, and responsiveness to the needs and legitimate grievances of those they lead. Ignoring wise counsel or seeking to dominate rather than serve often leads to division and decline. For individuals, it reminds us that even when the majority goes astray, there is an opportunity to remain faithful and committed to what is right, even if it means being part of a smaller group. The long-term stability and eventual survival of the Davidic line through Judah, as opposed to the repeated dynastic changes in the northern kingdom, can be seen as a testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:16), even amidst human failure.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 Kings 11:36 (2 votes)

    And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

  • 1 Kings 12:17 (2 votes)

    But [as for] the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

  • 2 Chronicles 11:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen [men], which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.