King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 10:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 10:14 in the King James Version says “And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 10:14 · KJV

Context

12

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.

13

And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,

14

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.

15

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.

16

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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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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 post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר1 of 18

“And answered”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֲלֵהֶ֗ם2 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כַּֽעֲצַ֤ת3 of 18

“them after the advice”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

הַיְלָדִים֙4 of 18

“of the young men”

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

לֵאמֹ֔ר5 of 18

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָבִ֗י6 of 18

“My father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אַכְבִּיד֙7 of 18

“heavy”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

אֶֽת8 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֻלְּכֶ֔ם9 of 18

“made your yoke”

H5923

a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively

וַֽאֲנִ֖י10 of 18
H589

i

אֹסִ֣יף11 of 18

“but I will add”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

עָלָ֑יו12 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אָבִ֗י13 of 18

“My father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

יִסַּ֤ר14 of 18

“chastised”

H3256

to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct

אֶתְכֶם֙15 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בַּשּׁוֹטִ֔ים16 of 18

“you with whips”

H7752

a lash (literally or figuratively)

וַֽאֲנִ֖י17 of 18
H589

i

בָּעַקְרַבִּֽים׃18 of 18

“but I will chastise you with scorpions”

H6137

a scorpion; figuratively, a scourge or knotted whip

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 10:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 10:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 2:19Proverbs 12:52 Chronicles 22:4-5James 3:14-4:2Daniel 6:72 Chronicles 10:10-11

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