2 Chronicles 10:4

KJV

Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy father {H1} made our yoke {H5923} grievous {H7185}: now therefore ease {H7043} thou somewhat the grievous {H7186} servitude {H5656} of thy father {H1}, and his heavy {H3515} yoke {H5923} that he put {H5414} upon us, and we will serve {H5647} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Your father laid a harsh yoke on us. But if you will lighten the harsh service we had to render your father and ease his heavy yoke that he put on us, we will serve you."

Berean Standard Bible

“Your father put a heavy yoke on us. But now you should lighten the burden of your father’s service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”

American Standard Version

Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
At a critical juncture in Israel's history, the united tribes confront Rehoboam, Solomon's successor, at Shechem. This pivotal verse encapsulates their collective plea, articulating the profound burden of forced labor and heavy taxation imposed by King Solomon. They implore Rehoboam to alleviate this oppressive "grievous servitude" and "heavy yoke," promising their loyal service in return for a more benevolent rule. This request sets the stage for the kingdom's dramatic division, highlighting the critical juncture of leadership choice and its far-reaching consequences for the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the death of King Solomon and precedes the formal coronation of his son, Rehoboam, in Shechem. The Chronicler, in [2 Chronicles 9](/2_chronicles/9 "2 Chronicles 9 - Solomon's Glorious Reign"), has just detailed the unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and glory of Solomon's reign, including his immense building projects. However, [2 Chronicles 10:1-3](/2_chronicles/10-1-3 "2 Chronicles 10:1-3 - Rehoboam Goes to Shechem and the People's Summons") sets the scene for the people's confrontation, indicating that the grandeur came at a significant cost. Verse 4 is the people's direct articulation of their grievance, a plea for relief from the burdens that underpinned Solomon's splendor. It directly parallels [1 Kings 12:4](/1_kings/12-4 "1 Kings 12:4 - The People's Grievance to Rehoboam"), serving as the critical turning point where the future of the united monarchy hangs in the balance, leading directly to the kingdom's division as seen in [2 Chronicles 10:16-19](/2_chronicles/10-16-19 "2 Chronicles 10:16-19 - The Division of the Kingdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BCE) was marked by extensive building programs, including the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, his own opulent palace, and various fortified cities. These projects required vast resources and, crucially, a system of forced labor (corvée) and heavy taxation, often levied disproportionately on the northern tribes. The "yoke" metaphor was a common ancient Near Eastern symbol for servitude and oppression, frequently used to describe the burdens imposed by rulers or foreign powers, reflecting a widespread understanding of its meaning among the populace. Shechem, where this encounter takes place, was a historically significant tribal center, particularly for the northern tribes, making it a fitting location for their collective voice to be heard. The people's demand reflects a deeply ingrained expectation of justice and relief from excessive burdens, a principle often articulated in Israelite law and prophetic tradition, such as the warnings against oppressive kings in [1 Samuel 8:10-18](/1_samuel/8-10-18 "1 Samuel 8:10-18 - Samuel's Warning Against a King").
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **burden of leadership**, demonstrating how a ruler's decisions regarding taxation and labor directly impact the populace, and the critical need for wise, compassionate governance. It underscores the **consequences of oppression**, showing how unchecked power and disregard for the people's welfare can lead to widespread discontent and, ultimately, national fragmentation. Furthermore, it reveals the **conditional nature of loyalty** in a monarchy, where the people's allegiance is contingent upon the king's willingness to act in their perceived best interest. This moment also implicitly raises themes of **justice and mercy** in governance, contrasting the harshness of Solomon's later reign with a hope for a more benevolent and equitable future under Rehoboam, a hope that is tragically dashed, leading to the fulfillment of prophetic warnings about the consequences of unrighteous rule, as seen in [1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29-39 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Yoke (Hebrew, עֹל, _ʻôl'_):** This term (H5923), derived from a root meaning "to bear" or "to carry," literally refers to a wooden beam placed across the necks of oxen to harness them for plowing or pulling heavy loads. In the biblical context, as used here, it is a powerful metaphor for servitude, bondage, and oppressive burdens. The "yoke" symbolizes the crushing weight of forced labor, taxation, and the loss of freedom experienced by the people under Solomon's reign. Its usage evokes a visceral image of being bound and compelled to arduous tasks, highlighting the people's profound suffering and the severity of the king's demands.
* **Grievous (Hebrew, קָשֶׁה, _qâsheh'_):** This adjective (H7186) means "severe," "difficult," "hard," or "cruel" in various applications. When applied to the "yoke" and "servitude," it intensifies the sense of oppression. It's not merely a "heavy" burden, but one that is exceedingly difficult to bear, causing distress, hardship, and a feeling of being "hard-pressed." The repetition of "grievous" (twice) and "heavy" emphasizes the severity of the people's plight and their desperate need for relief from this harsh reality.
* **Servitude (Hebrew, עֲבֹדָה, _ʻăbôdâh'_):** This noun (H5656), derived from the verb "to work" or "to serve," refers to "work of any kind," encompassing labor, bondage, and service. In this context, it specifically denotes the oppressive "bondage" and "labor" imposed by Solomon, particularly the forced labor (corvée) and heavy service that characterized his massive building projects. It highlights the extent to which the people felt reduced to mere laborers under a system that demanded their toil without adequate consideration for their well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy father made our yoke grievous:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the core complaint and its direct attribution. The people directly link their suffering to Solomon's policies and actions. The "yoke" here is a potent metaphor for the oppressive system of taxation and forced labor that supported Solomon's extensive building projects and lavish lifestyle. The term "grievous" (קָשֶׁה, _qasheh_) signifies the extreme hardship and severity of this burden, indicating that it was not merely difficult but truly unbearable for the populace, causing profound distress.
* **"now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us,"** This is the heart of their plea, a direct and urgent appeal to Rehoboam for relief. The phrase "ease thou somewhat" (הָקֵל מֵעָלֵינוּ, _haqel me'aleinu_) means "lighten from upon us" or "make light for us," expressing their desperate desire for a significant reduction in the oppressive demands. They reiterate the nature of their suffering, referring to both "grievous servitude" (עֲבֹדָה קָשָׁה, _'avodah qashah_ – hard labor/service) and "his heavy yoke," reinforcing the unbearable nature of Solomon's policies. This demonstrates their clear understanding of the source of their distress and their fervent hope that the new king will reverse these burdensome policies.
* **"and we will serve thee."** This final clause presents the condition of their loyalty and allegiance. Their willingness to serve Rehoboam as king is explicitly tied to his positive response to their request. It is a promise of allegiance, but one that is conditional upon the alleviation of their burdens. This highlights the transactional nature of the relationship between the monarch and his subjects in this context, where the people's support is not absolute but dependent on the king's benevolent and just governance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily through the repeated use of "yoke" (עֹל, _ʻôl'_). This powerful image, drawn from agricultural life, vividly conveys the crushing burden of forced labor and taxation. The "yoke" symbolizes the oppressive policies of Solomon, making the abstract concept of governmental burden tangible and relatable. The people's speech also functions as a **Plea** or **Supplication**, a direct and desperate appeal to authority for relief. It is structured as a **Conditional Statement**, where their promised "service" is explicitly contingent upon Rehoboam's willingness to "ease" their burdens. This rhetorical strategy places the onus on the new king, highlighting the high stakes of his decision and the immediate consequences of his choice. The **Repetition** of "grievous" and "yoke" further emphasizes the severity of their suffering and the central nature of their complaint, underscoring their profound distress and the urgency of their appeal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal verse exposes the tension between a monarch's pursuit of glory and the well-being of his subjects, a recurring theme in biblical wisdom literature and prophetic critique. It underscores the theological principle that true leadership, especially among God's covenant people, must be characterized by justice, mercy, and a genuine concern for the vulnerable, rather than self-aggrandizement or oppression. The people's plea for relief echoes a broader biblical longing for liberation from bondage, a desire rooted in Israel's foundational exodus from Egyptian slavery. Their conditional loyalty also foreshadows the consequences of unrighteous rule, where divine judgment often manifests through the instability and division of earthly kingdoms. Ultimately, it reminds us that earthly authority, though divinely ordained, is accountable for its stewardship and its profound impact on those under its care, reflecting God's own character of justice and compassion.

* [1 Samuel 8:10-18](/1_samuel/8-10-18 "1 Samuel 8:10-18 - Samuel's Warning About a King")
* [Deuteronomy 17:14-20](/deuteronomy/17-14-20 "Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Laws Concerning Kings")
* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - When the Righteous Rule, the People Rejoice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The plea of the people in 2 Chronicles 10:4 serves as a timeless reminder of the delicate balance between leadership and the led. For those in positions of authority—whether in government, business, family, or ministry—it is a stark warning against the dangers of becoming disconnected from the burdens of those under their care. True leadership is not about accumulating power or glory for oneself, but about serving the needs of others, easing their legitimate burdens, and fostering an environment of justice and well-being. Ignoring the cries of the oppressed, or increasing their burdens, inevitably leads to alienation, resentment, and ultimately, breakdown. For individuals, this verse highlights the importance of respectfully articulating grievances and advocating for just treatment, even when faced with overwhelming power. It also invites us to consider what "yokes" we carry, both imposed by others and self-imposed, and to seek the true freedom found in righteous living and reliance on divine grace, understanding that God desires our flourishing, not our oppression.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be imposing a "grievous yoke" on others, perhaps unintentionally, through my expectations or actions?**
* **How can I, as a leader (in any capacity), better listen to and respond to the legitimate concerns and burdens of those I serve, fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect?**
* **What "yokes" do I carry in my own life—spiritual, emotional, or practical—and how can I seek relief from them in a healthy, biblical way, perhaps by entrusting them to God?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the responsibilities of both leaders and the led in maintaining a healthy community or society that reflects biblical principles of justice and compassion?**

### FAQ
**Why did Solomon's reign, despite its glory, result in such a "grievous yoke" for the people?**

Answer: Solomon's reign was indeed glorious, marked by immense wealth, wisdom, and the construction of the First Temple. However, this grandeur came at a significant cost. His extensive building projects, including the Temple, his opulent palace, and numerous fortified cities, required vast resources and a massive labor force. To fund these endeavors and maintain his lavish court, Solomon imposed heavy taxes and instituted a system of forced labor (corvée), particularly on the non-Israelite population but also on the Israelite tribes, as indicated in [1 Kings 5:13-18](/1_kings/5-13-18 "1 Kings 5:13-18 - Solomon's Labor Force") and [1 Kings 9:15-23](/1_kings/9-15-23 "1 Kings 9:15-23 - Solomon's Building Projects and Labor"). While the Chronicler tends to focus on Solomon's positive aspects, the parallel account in [1 Kings 12:4](/1_kings/12-4 "1 Kings 12:4 - The People's Grievance") explicitly states that Solomon had made their "grievous servitude" and "heavy yoke" a reality. The people's complaint in [2 Chronicles 10:4](/2_chronicles/10-4 "2 Chronicles 10:4 - The People's Plea to Rehoboam") confirms that these burdens were perceived as oppressive and unsustainable, leading to widespread discontent and ultimately, the division of the kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "grievous yoke" described in 2 Chronicles 10:4 stands in stark contrast to the liberating offer of Jesus Christ. While Rehoboam chose to intensify the people's burdens, leading to national division and continued oppression, Jesus, the ultimate King and Son of David, offers a fundamentally different kind of reign. He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest for their souls and declaring, "[For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light](/matthew/11-30 "Matthew 11:30 - Jesus' Easy Yoke and Light Burden")" ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). This "light yoke" is not an absence of discipleship or responsibility, but a life lived in humble obedience to a King who bore the ultimate burden of sin and suffering on the cross ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - He Bore Our Griefs and Carried Our Sorrows")). Jesus, unlike Rehoboam, is the compassionate Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), freeing them from the oppressive yokes of sin, legalism, and human tyranny. His kingdom is one of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")), offering true spiritual freedom and an eternal inheritance that no earthly king could ever provide ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")).

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 12:4

Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

1 Kings 4:20

¶ Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

1 Kings 5:15

And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;

Isaiah 47:6

I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

Exodus 2:23

¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

1 Kings 9:22

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they [were] men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.