King James Version
2 Chronicles 10
19 verses with commentary
Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provid...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **To Shechem.**—*Sh’kémah,* with accusative ending; Kings, *Sh’kem.* “Were come,” pf. plural; Kings, singular.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. there were more chief men found--**The Hebrew may be translated, "There were more men as to heads of the sons of Eleazar." It is true, in point of fact, that by the census the number of individuals belonging to the family of Eleazar was found greater than in that of Ithamar. And this, of necessity, led to there being more fathers' houses, and consequently more chiefs or presidents in the form...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retributi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Who was in Egypt.**—Really a parenthesis, “And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard (now he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the face of Solomon the king), that Jeroboam returned from Egypt.” The chronicler has omitted to say he was *still* in Egypt (*‘ôdennû,* Kings), because he has not alluded before to his flight thither. (See 1Kings 11:26-40.)
**That Jeroboam retur...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. Thus were they divided by lot--**This method of allocation was adopted manifestly to remove all cause of jealousy as to precedence and the right of performing particular duties.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This patte...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **And they sent and called him.**—To the assembly. (Comp. 1Kings 12:20.)
**All Israel.**—Chron. omits *assembly of.* “Came,” singular; Kings, plural.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. one principal household--**The marginal reading is preferable, "one house of the father." The lot was cast in a deliberate and solemn manner in presence of the king, the princes, the two high priests, and the chiefs of the priestly and Levitical families. The heads of families belonging to Eleazar and Ithamar were alternately brought forward to draw, and the name of each individual, as called...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—king...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Made . . . grievous . . . ease thou.**—Made *hard* . . . *lighten.*
**Now therefore.**—*And now.* Kings and the Syriac here, “and thou now”—*w’attah ‘attah:* an assonance which the chronicler has avoided, at the expense of the proper emphasis, which lies on *thou.* (Some Hebrew MSS. and the Vulgate and Arabic read, *and thou.*) (Comp. 2Chronicles 10:10, *and thou . . . lighten it.*)
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Come again unto me after three days.**—Hob., *Yet three days and return unto me.* The verb *go ye* (Kings) seems to have fallen out before the first words. The LXX., Syriac, and Arabic have it.
**Departed.**—Singular; Kings, plural. Contrast 2Chronicles 10:1.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →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?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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?</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Before Solomon.**—*“Liphnê Sh’lomoh”* the common formula for “‘*eth-p’nê Sh’lomoh”* (Kings).
**To return answer to** **. . .**—Literally, *to return to this people a word;* Kings, “to return this people a word” (double accusative)—a construction preserved in 2Chronicles 10:9 below.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **If thou be kind to this people.**—A free paraphrase of, “If *to-day* thou become *a servant* to this people and *serve* them” (Kings)—words which may have seemed inappropriate to the redactor, in connection with *the king,* but which form a pointed antithesis to the last clause of the verse, “they will be *thy* *servants for ever.”*
**And please them.**—*Be propitious to them, receive them g...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, w...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **That stood before him.**—The chronicler has omitted a redundant expression (*‘asher*)*.*
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →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?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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?</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **And he said unto them.**—The verse agrees with Kings to the letter.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Spake unto him.**—Heb., *with him*; probably a mistaken repetition. Kings, “unto him,” and so LXX.; but Syriac, “with him.”
**Answer.**—*Say to.*
**The people.**—*This people* (Kings).
**But make thou it somewhat lighter for us.**—Literally, *And thou lighten from upon us.* LXX., well: καὶ σὺ ἄφες ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν*.*
**Thus shalt thou say.**—Kings, “speak.”
**My little finger.**—The word “finger” s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. my father put: Heb. my father laded
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **For whereas** **. . .**—Literally, *And now, my father* . . . *and I, I will add to your yoke.*
**Whips . . . scorpions.**—*The whips* . . . *the scorpions.*
**I will chastise you.**—These words are found in the text of Kings, both here and in 2Chronicles 10:14.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who for...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **So Jeroboam.**—*Literatim* as Kings.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Them.**—Kings, “the people.”
**Roughly.**—*Hardly.*
**King Rehoboam.**—Not in Kings, which adds, “that they counselled him.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **And answered them.**—*And spake unto them.*
**Advice.**—*Counsel.*
**My father made your yoke heavy.**—The Targum and a large number of Hebrew MSS. read, “I will make heavy.” This appears to be an error arising out of a fusion of the two words *‘abî hikhbîd* into *’ahhbîd.* All the versions have the reading of the text.
**Thereto.**—“To your yoke” (Kings).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **The cause was of God.**—*It was brought about by God.* Literally, *it was a turn* or *turning-point* (*of events*)* from with God.* The word *n’sibbah* is equivalent to *sibbah* of Kings. Both are isolated in the Old Testament. The latter is the common word for “cause” in Rabbinic, as *sibbath sibbôth*—*causa causarum.*
**That the Lord might perform his word.**—The chronicler does not devia...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Fo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **And when all Israel saw.**—Now *all Israel had seen.* Kings: “And all Israel saw.” The chronicler makes a new start. (The word “saw” is wanting in very many Hebrew MSS., and in LXX., Vulg., and Targ., and some Hebrew editions.)
**Answered.**—*Returned the king*—scil., *a* *word,* which Kings supplies.
**Every man to your tents, O Israel.**—Literally, *A man *(’*îsh*)* to thy tents,* &c. The...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This p...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. made speed: Heb. strengthened himself
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasize...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **Hadoram.**—Kings, “Adoram.” LXX. (Vat.), Adoniram. (Comp. 1Kings 4:6.)
**The tribute.**—*The levy* (*ha-mas*)*.*
**The children of Israel.**—Kings, “all Israel.”
**Made speed.**—*Had made speed.*
**His chariot.**—*The* (*royal*)* chariot.*
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.</strong><br><br>This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Foolish leadership rejecting wise counsel. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Unto this day**.—Neither the compiler of Kings nor the chronicler saw fit to alter a phrase which no longer applied to the political circumstances of their own day. (Comp. 1Chronicles 4:41; 1Chronicles 4:43; 1Chronicles 5:26.)
**Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 10
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam.
--Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his...
Read full commentary →