2 Chronicles 10:9

KJV

And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto them, What advice {H3289} give ye that we may return {H7725} answer {H1697} to this people {H5971}, which have spoken {H1696} to me, saying {H559}, Ease {H7043} somewhat the yoke {H5923} that thy father {H1} did put {H5414} upon us?

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them, "What advice would you give me, so that we can give an answer to these people who said to me, 'Lighten the yoke that your father laid on us'?"

Berean Standard Bible

He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 10:9 captures a pivotal moment in the nascent reign of King Rehoboam, Solomon's son, as he stands at a critical crossroads. Faced with the urgent demands of the northern tribes to alleviate the heavy burdens imposed by his father, Rehoboam consults with his youthful peers. This verse records his direct inquiry to them, seeking their counsel on how to formulate a response to the people's plea for relief from the oppressive "yoke" of taxation and forced labor, thereby setting the stage for a decision that would irrevocably alter the course of Israelite history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the death of King Solomon and the assembly of all Israel at Shechem to make Rehoboam king. The preceding verses (2 Chronicles 10:1-5) describe the people's initial approach to Rehoboam, led by Jeroboam, where they articulate their grievance regarding the "heavy yoke" Solomon had placed upon them and demand lighter burdens as a condition for their loyalty. Rehoboam initially seeks counsel from the seasoned elders who had served his father (2 Chronicles 10:6-7), who advise a conciliatory and merciful response. However, 2 Chronicles 10:8 introduces a crucial turning point: Rehoboam rejects the elders' counsel and turns instead to the young men with whom he had grown up. Verse 9, therefore, is Rehoboam's direct appeal to this younger, less experienced cohort, explicitly stating the problem and soliciting their advice, thereby highlighting his inclination towards their perspective over that of the elders. The subsequent verses (2 Chronicles 10:10-11) reveal the harsh, unyielding counsel of the young men, leading directly to Rehoboam's disastrous response and the division of the kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following the unified and prosperous, yet demanding, reign of Solomon, the Israelite kingdom was at a breaking point. Solomon's ambitious building projects, including the Temple and his own palace, coupled with his lavish lifestyle, necessitated immense taxation and the imposition of forced labor (corvée). While the southern tribe of Judah might have benefited more directly from these projects and felt less of the burden, the northern tribes, geographically and culturally distinct, bore the brunt of the labor and taxation, leading to deep-seated resentment. Shechem, where this assembly took place, was a significant historical and religious site for the northern tribes, making it a natural place for their grievances to be aired and for a new king to be confirmed. The cultural expectation was that a new monarch would initiate his reign with acts of beneficence and a show of concern for his people, often including a reduction in burdens. Rehoboam's consultations reflect a common practice of seeking counsel, but his choice of advisors and his ultimate decision reveal a profound misunderstanding of the political and social realities of his kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the broader narrative of 2 Chronicles 10, powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, the **Theme of Leadership and Counsel** is paramount, showcasing the critical importance of wise counsel and the devastating consequences of rejecting it. Rehoboam's decision to favor the advice of his inexperienced peers over that of the seasoned elders underscores a failure in discernment that would prove fatal to the unity of the kingdom. Secondly, the **Theme of the Burden of the Yoke** is central. The "yoke" (Hebrew: _‘ol_) is a potent metaphor throughout Scripture, symbolizing oppressive servitude, heavy taxation, or burdensome laws, as seen in the people's plea to [ease their burden](/2_chronicles/10-4 "2 Chronicles 10:4 - The People's Plea to Rehoboam"). This theme highlights the human cost of unchecked power and the legitimate grievances of an oppressed populace. Lastly, the **Theme of Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility** is subtly present. While Rehoboam makes a free choice, the Chronicler later reveals that this division was part of God's sovereign plan to fulfill His word to Jeroboam (compare [2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - The Lord's Doing") with [1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")). Rehoboam's folly, though his own, became the instrument of God's larger redemptive purposes, setting the stage for the distinct histories of Judah and Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Advice (Hebrew, _‘etsah'_):** This term refers to counsel, deliberation, or a plan. In this context, it signifies the specific guidance Rehoboam is seeking to formulate a diplomatic and effective response to the people's demands. The quality and source of this "advice" will be determinative for the future of the kingdom, highlighting the weight and significance of the counsel being sought.
* **Yoke (Hebrew, _‘ol'_):** Literally a wooden beam placed on the neck of an animal for plowing or drawing a load, "yoke" is a powerful and pervasive metaphor in the Old Testament. Here, it vividly symbolizes the oppressive burdens of forced labor, heavy taxation, and authoritarian rule that Solomon had imposed. The people's plea to "ease somewhat the yoke" is not merely a request for lighter taxes but a profound cry for relief from what they perceived as a form of servitude, a fundamental change in the nature of their governance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This introduces Rehoboam's direct address to his young counselors, indicating a deliberate shift from the elders' advice to a new source of counsel. It underscores his active engagement in seeking an alternative perspective.
* **"What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people,"**: This is Rehoboam's specific request for counsel. He is not asking for a general opinion but for a concrete strategy or message to deliver to the assembled tribes. The phrase "return answer" implies a formal, public declaration that will either appease or provoke the people.
* **"which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?"**: This clause reiterates the core demand of the people, ensuring his young advisors fully grasp the nature of the crisis. By repeating their exact words, Rehoboam emphasizes the burden they feel and the urgency of their plea, setting the precise parameters for the advice he seeks.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Rhetorical Question** is evident in Rehoboam's direct inquiry, "What advice give ye...?" While it seeks a genuine answer, it also serves to frame the critical decision before his young advisors, placing the burden of a solution squarely upon them. The most prominent device is **Metaphor**, specifically the "yoke." This powerful image, borrowed from agricultural life, serves as a vivid and universally understood symbol of oppression, servitude, and heavy burdens. Its use immediately conveys the people's suffering and the perceived injustice of Solomon's reign. Furthermore, the verse contains an element of **Foreshadowing**. Rehoboam's turning to his young, inexperienced peers, explicitly seeking their counsel on such a momentous issue, subtly foreshadows the disastrous outcome. The reader, knowing the history, can anticipate that this consultation will lead to folly rather than wisdom, setting the stage for the tragic division of the kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 10:9 highlights the profound theological implications of leadership and the consequences of rejecting wisdom. Rehoboam's inquiry, while seemingly prudent in seeking counsel, reveals a deeper spiritual blindness in his choice of advisors. The narrative underscores the biblical principle that true wisdom often resides with those who possess experience and a heart for the people, rather than those who pander to pride or self-interest. This episode serves as a cautionary tale against hubris and the dangers of surrounding oneself with "yes-men" who confirm one's own biases rather than offering sound, challenging counsel. Ultimately, the division of the kingdom, though a result of Rehoboam's poor decision, is presented by the Chronicler as divinely ordained, a fulfillment of God's word to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah (compare [2 Chronicles 10:15](/2_chronicles/10-15 "2 Chronicles 10:15 - The Lord's Doing") with [1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11 - Ahijah's Prophecy")). This demonstrates God's sovereignty working through human choices, even flawed ones, to accomplish His purposes.

* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wisdom in Many Counselors")
* [Proverbs 15:22](/proverbs/15-22 "Proverbs 15:22 - Plans Fail Without Counsel")
* [Isaiah 9:4](/isaiah/9-4 "Isaiah 9:4 - Breaking the Yoke of Burden")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rehoboam's dilemma in 2 Chronicles 10:9 offers timeless lessons for leaders and individuals alike. The critical choice of whom to seek counsel from, and whose advice to heed, is paramount. Rehoboam had access to seasoned, wise elders who offered a path of humility and service, which would have preserved the kingdom's unity. Yet, he chose to align himself with the counsel of his peers, who advocated for an increase in power and oppression. This serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is not about asserting dominance but about serving the needs of those one leads, listening to their grievances, and responding with empathy and wisdom. For us today, whether in positions of authority in our homes, workplaces, or communities, or simply navigating personal decisions, the principle remains: seek diverse, godly counsel, weigh it carefully, and choose the path of humility and service over pride and self-interest. The consequences of our decisions, especially when made from positions of influence, can have far-reaching and lasting impacts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When faced with difficult decisions, from whom do you typically seek advice, and why?**
* **How do you discern between wise counsel and counsel that merely confirms your own desires or biases?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be carrying or imposing a "heavy yoke," either on yourself or on others?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the importance of humility in leadership and in personal relationships?**

### FAQ
**Why did Rehoboam turn to the young men for advice after consulting the elders?**

Answer: Rehoboam had initially consulted the older, experienced counselors who had served his father, Solomon. Their advice was to serve the people and speak kindly to them, promising that the people would then serve him forever ([2 Chronicles 10:7](/2_chronicles/10-7 "2 Chronicles 10:7 - The Elders' Counsel")). This counsel, which emphasized humility and service, likely did not align with Rehoboam's desire to assert his authority and perhaps his own youthful ambition. He then turned to the young men with whom he had grown up, seeking counsel that would validate a more forceful approach. This suggests a preference for advice that reinforced his own inclinations towards power and control, rather than the more difficult path of humility and conciliation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Rehoboam's folly and the division of the kingdom, initiated by his response in 2 Chronicles 10:9, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Unlike Rehoboam, who sought to increase the "yoke" of his people, Jesus offers a radically different kind of kingship and burden. He Himself declares, "[Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")." Where Rehoboam's reign was characterized by increasing oppression, Jesus' reign brings liberation from the true burdens of sin, law, and spiritual death. He is the wise King, the ultimate Counselor, who perfectly embodies the humility and service that Rehoboam lacked. Jesus, the true Son of David, did not come to add to our burdens but to bear the ultimate "yoke" of humanity's sin on the cross, offering true freedom and rest to all who would follow Him. His kingdom is not built on forced labor or heavy taxation, but on grace, love, and a light burden of discipleship, leading to eternal life and peace, as prophesied in [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace").

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

2 Samuel 17:5

Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.

2 Samuel 17:6

And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do [after] his saying? if not; speak thou.

2 Chronicles 10:6

And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye [me] to return answer to this people?

1 Kings 22:6

Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king.

1 Kings 22:8

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.