2 Chronicles 10:2

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.

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}.

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

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

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

2 Chronicles 10:2 introduces a critical figure in the history of the divided kingdom of Israel: Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. This verse marks his return from exile in Egypt, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow Solomon's death.

Context

The historical backdrop to this verse is the death of King Solomon and the ascension of his son, Rehoboam, to the throne. Jeroboam had previously fled to Egypt because King Solomon sought to kill him. This animosity stemmed from a prophecy delivered by the prophet Ahijah, who foretold that Jeroboam would rule over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel (see 1 Kings 11:29-39). Jeroboam's return indicates that the political climate had shifted significantly with Solomon's passing, making it safe for him to come back and potentially claim his prophesied role.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse highlights how God works through human circumstances and political shifts to fulfill His plans. Jeroboam's return was not merely a political maneuver but part of God's design to judge Solomon's idolatry and establish a new order.
  • Leadership and Succession: The transition of power from Solomon to Rehoboam, and Jeroboam's re-emergence, underscores the complexities of leadership and the challenges of succession in ancient monarchies.
  • Consequences of Sin: The impending division of the kingdom, instigated by Jeroboam's rise, was a direct consequence of Solomon's deviation from God's commands, particularly his embrace of foreign gods (as detailed in 1 Kings 11).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "who [was] in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king" clearly and concisely explains Jeroboam's background. The word "presence" (Hebrew: פָּנִים, panim) here signifies "from before" or "from the face of," emphasizing the direct and personal threat Solomon posed to Jeroboam's life, necessitating his exile.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all human affairs, even political power struggles and leadership changes. While human choices have real consequences—as seen in Solomon's sin leading to the kingdom's split—God's ultimate plan prevails. It also highlights the importance of discerning leadership and the lasting impact of decisions made by those in authority, whether for good or ill. The return of Jeroboam signals a pivotal moment that would forever alter the course of Israel's history, underscoring how seemingly small events can have profound, long-term implications.

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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 11:40

    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.
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