2 Chronicles10

Rehoboam, seeking to be made king in Shechem, was confronted by all Israel, led by Jeroboam, who requested a lighter burden than his father Solomon had imposed. Rehoboam rejected the wise counsel of the old men and instead followed the harsh advice of the young men. Consequently, he answered the people roughly, threatening to increase their servitude, which led to the rebellion of ten tribes against the house of David.

Rehoboam and Israel Meet at Shechem

1
Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. ​
2
When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. ​
3
They sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
4
“Your father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make you the grievous service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, lighter, and we will serve you.” ​
5
He said to them, “Come again to me after three days.” The people departed.

Rehoboam Seeks Counsel

6
King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give me to return answer to this people?” ​
7
They spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” ​
8
But he abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. ​
9
He said to them, “What counsel do you give, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter?’”
10
The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall tell the people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter on us;’ thus you shall say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. ​
11
Now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.’” ​

The King’s Harsh Reply

12
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king asked, saying, “Come to me again the third day.”
13
The king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam abandoned the counsel of the old men,
14
and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”
15
So the king didn’t listen to the people; for it was brought about of God, that the LORD might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. ​

The Secession of Israel

16
When all Israel saw that the king didn’t listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, “What portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse! Every man to your tents, Israel! Now see to your own house, David.” So all Israel departed to their tents. ​
17
But as for the children of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18
Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to forced labor; and the children of Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam made speed to get himself up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. ​
19
So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day. ​

Study Notes for 2 Chronicles 10

Verse 1

Shechem, located in the territory of Ephraim, was a traditional gathering place and a symbolic center for the northern tribes, indicating Rehoboam needed their affirmation to secure the entire kingdom.

Verse 2

Jeroboam had fled to Egypt after Solomon sought to kill him (1 Kings 11:40). His return highlights his pre-existing prophetic destiny (1 Kings 11:29-39) to rule the ten northern tribes.

Verse 4

The 'grievous yoke' refers primarily to the heavy taxation and mandatory labor levies (corvée) imposed by Solomon to fund his extensive building programs.

Verse 6

Rehoboam initially sought advice from the experienced elders who had served his father, standard protocol for a new monarch facing a political crisis.

Verse 7

The old men advised servant leadership—ruling through kindness and relationship—which would ensure the people's lasting loyalty and service.

Verse 8

The deliberate rejection of sound, experienced counsel in favor of peers demonstrates Rehoboam’s arrogance and unwillingness to compromise, leading directly to the kingdom's fracture.

Verse 10

This boastful metaphor signifies Rehoboam’s intent to rule with far greater severity and force than Solomon, treating the people’s legitimate grievances with contempt.

Verse 11

The 'scorpions' likely refers to a particularly harsh scourge or whip, perhaps one with knotted leather or metal tips, symbolizing extreme punitive cruelty.

Verse 15

The Chronicler provides a theological interpretation: Rehoboam’s disastrous choice was ultimately ordained by God to fulfill the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite (1 Kings 11:29-39), punishing the Davidic line for Solomon’s idolatry.

Verse 16

This chant is a declaration of independence, rejecting the Davidic dynasty and its legitimacy. The phrase 'every man to your tents' is a traditional call for military or popular dispersal.

Verse 18

Hadoram (Adoniram in 1 Kings 12:18) was the official in charge of forced labor and tribute; his stoning was a direct, violent rejection of Solomon’s oppressive policies.

Verse 19

This verse marks the crucial historical event: the permanent division of the united monarchy into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), fulfilling divine decree.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options