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2 Chronicles 10:16

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And when all Israel [saw] that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and [we have] none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: [and] now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.

And when all Israel {H3478} saw {H7200} that the king {H4428} would not hearken {H8085} unto them, the people {H5971} answered {H7725} the king {H4428}, saying {H559}, What portion {H2506} have we in David {H1732}? and we have none inheritance {H5159} in the son {H1121} of Jesse {H3448}: every man {H376} to your tents {H168}, O Israel {H3478}: and now, David {H1732}, see {H7200} to thine own house {H1004}. So all Israel {H3478} went {H3212} to their tents {H168}.

When all Isra'el [saw] that the king wasn't listening to them, the people answered the king, "Do we have any share in David? We have no heritage in the son of Yishai! Everyone to your tents, Isra'el! Care for your own house, David!" So all Isra'el left for their tents.

When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So all the Israelites went home,

And when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto 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, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So all Israel departed unto their tents.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:16 marks a pivotal and tragic moment in the history of ancient Israel: the definitive split of the united monarchy, which had flourished under King Solomon and his father, King David. This verse captures the people's furious rejection of Rehoboam, Solomon's son, and his oppressive policies.

Context

Following the death of King Solomon, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. The people of Israel, burdened by the heavy taxation and forced labor imposed during Solomon's reign, approached Rehoboam in Shechem with a plea for relief. Rehoboam sought counsel, first from the older, experienced advisors who recommended a gentle response to secure the people's loyalty. However, he rejected their wisdom in favor of the harsh, unyielding advice from his young peers, who urged him to increase their burdens (see 2 Chronicles 10:8-11). When Rehoboam delivered his severe answer, stating, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto," the stage was set for rebellion.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of Leadership: The phrase "What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse" is a powerful declaration of secession. It signifies the northern tribes' abandonment of their loyalty to the Davidic dynasty and the covenant God made with David (see 2 Samuel 7:16).
  • Consequences of Pride and Foolishness: Rehoboam's refusal to listen to wise counsel and his proud, oppressive stance directly led to the fracturing of his kingdom. This serves as a stark warning about the dangers of arrogance in leadership.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Although human choices led to this division, the Bible reveals that this split was also a fulfillment of God's prophetic word through the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam, due to Solomon's idolatry (see 1 Kings 11:31-35).
  • The Divided Kingdom: This verse marks the beginning of the Divided Monarchy, with the ten northern tribes forming the Kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remaining loyal to Rehoboam, forming the Kingdom of Judah.

Linguistic Insights

The exclamation, "What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse," is a highly significant and defiant declaration. It is a direct repudiation of the concept of shared heritage and destiny under the Davidic line. "Son of Jesse" is a poetic and familial reference to David, emphasizing their complete break from his lineage and the associated promises of a lasting dynasty. The cry "every man to your tents, O Israel" was a traditional call to disperse, but here it functions as a call to abandon the royal capital and return to their own tribal regions, effectively dissolving the unified kingdom.

Practical Application

This historical account offers timeless lessons for leaders and followers alike. For leaders, it underscores the vital importance of humility, active listening, and seeking wise counsel, especially when faced with public grievances. Ignoring the legitimate concerns of those you lead, or responding with arrogance and threats, often leads to alienation and division. For individuals, it highlights the consequences of rash decisions and the impact of one person's choices on an entire community. It also reminds us that even in human failures and political turmoil, God's overarching plan and prophetic word ultimately prevail.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 2 Chronicles 10:19 (5 votes)

    And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

  • 2 Samuel 20:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name [was] Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

  • Psalms 76:10 (2 votes)

    Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

  • Jeremiah 33:20 (2 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;

  • Jeremiah 33:21 (2 votes)

    [Then] may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.

  • Luke 19:27 (2 votes)

    But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

  • 1 Samuel 22:7 (2 votes)

    Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, [and] make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;