2 Chronicles 10:2

KJV

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who [was] in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard [it], that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Nebat {H5028}, who was in Egypt {H4714}, whither he had fled {H1272} from the presence {H6440} of Solomon {H8010} the king {H4428}, heard {H8085} it, that Jeroboam {H3379} returned {H7725} out of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Yarov'am the son of N'vat heard of it, he returned from Egypt, where he had fled from Shlomo.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he returned from Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse marks the pivotal return of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, from his refuge in Egypt, where he had fled to escape King Solomon's wrath. His reappearance on the scene, immediately following the death of Solomon, is a critical turning point that sets the stage for the dramatic division of the united kingdom of Israel, fulfilling divine prophecy and ushering in a new era of political and spiritual upheaval.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Chronicles 10:2 immediately follows the account of King Solomon's death and burial in [2 Chronicles 9:31](/2_chronicles/9-31 "2 Chronicles 9:31 - Death of King Solomon"). The narrative then shifts to the ascension of his son, Rehoboam, to the throne in Shechem, a significant location for tribal gatherings, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 10:1](/2_chronicles/10-1 "2 Chronicles 10:1 - Rehoboam Goes to Shechem"). The re-emergence of Jeroboam at this precise moment is not coincidental; it is presented as the catalyst for the impending confrontation between Rehoboam and the northern tribes, orchestrated by divine will. This verse serves as a crucial bridge, linking the consequences of Solomon's unfaithfulness (as seen in [1 Kings 11](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11 - Solomon's Idolatry and Divine Judgment")) to the unfolding judgment upon his dynasty and the kingdom. The Chronicler, while focusing on the Davidic line, highlights Jeroboam's return as the immediate human agent through whom God's judgment is executed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the death of a monarch often triggered periods of political instability and succession crises. It was common for potential rivals or those who had fled the previous regime to return and assert their claims. Jeroboam's flight to Egypt, specifically to Pharaoh Shishak (as noted in [1 Kings 11:40](/1_kings/11-40 "1 Kings 11:40 - Jeroboam Flees to Egypt")), indicates that Egypt served as a traditional haven for political exiles from Israel, often providing a base for future challenges to the throne. The phrase "fled from the presence of Solomon the king" underscores the absolute power of the monarch and the direct threat Jeroboam faced, making his exile a matter of survival. His return signals a shift in the balance of power, as the new king, Rehoboam, lacked the formidable authority and wisdom of his father, creating an opportune moment for Jeroboam to re-engage with the political landscape of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty** over human affairs, even in political succession and national division. Jeroboam's return, though seemingly a human political maneuver, is presented as part of God's predetermined plan to judge Solomon's idolatry and establish a new order, as prophesied by Ahijah in [1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam"). Secondly, it underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**. Solomon's spiritual decline and embrace of foreign gods (detailed in [1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry")) directly led to God's promise to tear the kingdom from his son's hand, making Jeroboam's return the immediate instrument of this judgment. Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Leadership and Accountability**, setting the stage for the contrasting leadership styles of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, and the profound impact their decisions would have on the spiritual and political future of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fled (Hebrew, _bārach'_):** The verb "bārach" signifies a swift and urgent escape, often implying flight from danger or pursuit. In this context, it emphasizes the severe threat Solomon posed to Jeroboam's life, necessitating his immediate and desperate departure to Egypt. It highlights the high stakes involved and Jeroboam's vulnerable position before his return, underscoring the shift in power dynamics upon Solomon's death.
* **Presence (Hebrew, פָּנִים, _pānîm'_):** While literally meaning "face," "pānîm" here functions idiomatically to mean "from before," "from the face of," or "from the person of." It conveys the direct, personal, and life-threatening nature of Solomon's animosity towards Jeroboam. Jeroboam was not merely avoiding Solomon's kingdom, but escaping the king himself, who sought his life, making his return a bold and calculated move.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat,"**: This introductory phrase signals a significant event about to unfold, focusing immediately on Jeroboam, identifying him by his lineage. The Chronicler assumes the reader's familiarity with Jeroboam's prior history, particularly his prophetic destiny and flight.
* **"who [was] in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king,"**: This parenthetical clause provides essential background, explaining Jeroboam's whereabouts and the reason for his exile. It reminds the audience of Solomon's attempt to kill Jeroboam, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation that is about to occur between Jeroboam and Solomon's successor, Rehoboam.
* **"heard [it],"**: The "it" refers to the news of Solomon's death, a pivotal piece of information that would dramatically alter the political landscape and make Jeroboam's return possible and strategic. This emphasizes that Jeroboam's action was a calculated response to a changed circumstance.
* **"that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt."**: This concluding statement is the central action of the verse. It declares Jeroboam's re-entry into Israel, marking the end of his exile and the beginning of his active role in the events that would lead to the kingdom's division. His return is not merely a personal journey, but the reintroduction of a divinely appointed agent of change.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several key literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jeroboam's return immediately after Solomon's death strongly hints at the impending political upheaval and the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the division of the kingdom. The very mention of his name, coupled with his background as an exile from Solomon, primes the reader for conflict. There is also an element of **Irony** in Solomon, the wisest of kings, being unable to secure his dynasty, with the very man he sought to kill returning to dismantle his legacy. The Chronicler's concise recounting of Jeroboam's flight and return also demonstrates **Economical Narration**, providing just enough background to understand the significance of his reappearance without dwelling on the full details already known from 1 Kings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The return of Jeroboam from Egypt is a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in human history and political affairs. It demonstrates that even the actions of kings and the outcomes of national events are ultimately subject to divine will. God uses human agents, sometimes unlikely ones, to bring about His purposes, whether those purposes involve judgment for disobedience or the establishment of new phases in His covenant plan. This moment underscores the principle that God's word, once spoken through His prophets, will inevitably come to pass, regardless of human attempts to thwart it. Solomon's attempts to kill Jeroboam were futile against God's sovereign decree.

* [1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")
* [2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - God's Hand in the Division")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly simple verse holds profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including political shifts, leadership changes, and personal adversities. Just as Jeroboam's return was part of God's larger plan, so too are the events of our lives and the world around us woven into His divine tapestry. This should instill in us a deep trust in God's overarching purpose, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust. It also highlights the far-reaching consequences of leadership decisions, both good and bad. Solomon's unfaithfulness had generational and national repercussions, underscoring the solemn responsibility of those in authority, and the need for all leaders—in homes, churches, and governments—to seek God's wisdom and obey His commands. Ultimately, it calls us to discern God's hand at work in history, recognizing that He is always moving to fulfill His redemptive purposes, often through unexpected means and people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeroboam's return from exile illustrate God's sovereignty over human plans and political events?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the long-term consequences of disobedience, both for individuals and for nations?**
* **In what ways can we recognize God's hand at work in seemingly ordinary or chaotic events in our own lives or in the world today?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jeroboam in Egypt, and why did he return specifically at this time?**

Answer: Jeroboam was in Egypt because he had fled from King Solomon, who sought to kill him. This animosity stemmed from a divine prophecy delivered by the prophet Ahijah, who foretold that Jeroboam would rule over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel [1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam"). Solomon, hearing of this, naturally viewed Jeroboam as a threat to his dynasty. Jeroboam's return was strategically timed to coincide with the death of Solomon and the ascension of his son, Rehoboam, to the throne. This period of transition was ripe for political maneuvering, as the new king's authority had not yet been fully established. Jeroboam's return was not merely a political calculation but an act orchestrated by God to fulfill His word concerning the division of the kingdom as a consequence of Solomon's idolatry [1 Kings 11:9-13](/1_kings/11-9 "1 Kings 11:9-13 - God's Judgment on Solomon").

**What was the immediate impact of Jeroboam's return?**

Answer: Jeroboam's return immediately set in motion the events that led to the division of the united kingdom of Israel. Upon hearing of Rehoboam's ascension, the people of Israel, along with Jeroboam, confronted Rehoboam at Shechem with a plea for lighter burdens than those imposed by Solomon [2 Chronicles 10:3-4](/2_chronicles/10-3 "2 Chronicles 10:3-4 - The People's Request to Rehoboam"). Rehoboam, rejecting the counsel of the elders and listening instead to his young advisors, responded harshly [2 Chronicles 10:8-11](/2_chronicles/10-8 "2 Chronicles 10:8-11 - Rehoboam's Harsh Reply"). This foolish decision, divinely ordained [2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - God's Hand in the Division"), prompted the ten northern tribes to reject Rehoboam's rule and declare Jeroboam their king, thus splitting the kingdom into Israel (North) and Judah (South) [2 Chronicles 10:16-19](/2_chronicles/10-16 "2 Chronicles 10:16-19 - The Kingdom Divides").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jeroboam's return and the subsequent division of the kingdom, born out of human sin and divine judgment, ultimately points to the greater King, Jesus Christ, and His unified, eternal kingdom. The failure of Solomon's dynasty and the fragmentation of Israel underscore humanity's desperate need for a perfect, unwavering ruler. While Jeroboam was an instrument of God's judgment against a disobedient king, he himself would lead Israel into deeper idolatry, demonstrating that no earthly king could truly unite or save God's people. Jesus, however, is the true Son of David, whose kingdom "will have no end" [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom"). Unlike the divided kingdom of Israel, Christ's church, His spiritual kingdom, is called to be one, transcending all earthly divisions of race, social status, or nationality [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-14 - Christ Our Peace"). He is the ultimate Lamb who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), reconciling all things to Himself and bringing true peace and unity where sin had brought division and chaos [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ Reconciles All Things"). The brokenness of the Old Testament kingdom narratives thus serves as a powerful backdrop, highlighting the unparalleled glory and unifying power of Christ's redemptive work.

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

1 Kings 11:40

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

1 Kings 12:2

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard [of it], (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)

1 Kings 11:26

¶ And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name [was] Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up [his] hand against the king.

1 Kings 11:28

And the man Jeroboam [was] a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.