King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 10:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 10:15 in the King James Version says “So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spak... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 10:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 24 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁמַ֥ע2 of 24

hearkened

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ3 of 24

So the king

H4428

a king

אֶל4 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֑ם5 of 24

not unto the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כִּֽי6 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הָיְתָ֤ה7 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נְסִבָּה֙8 of 24

for the cause

H5252

properly, an environment, i.e., circumstance or turn of affairs

מֵעִ֣ם9 of 24
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים10 of 24

was of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְמַעַן֩11 of 24
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

הָקִ֨ים12 of 24

might perform

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יְהוָ֜ה13 of 24

that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת14 of 24
H853

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

דְּבָר֗וֹ15 of 24

his word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֤ר16 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּר֙17 of 24

which he spake

H1696

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

בְּיַד֙18 of 24

by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲחִיָּ֣הוּ19 of 24

of Ahijah

H281

achijah, the name of nine israelites

הַשִּֽׁלוֹנִ֔י20 of 24

the Shilonite

H7888

a shilonite or inhabitant of shiloh

אֶל21 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יָֽרָבְעָ֖ם22 of 24

to Jeroboam

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

בֶּן23 of 24

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נְבָֽט׃24 of 24

of Nebat

H5028

nebat, the father of jeroboam i


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 10:15 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 10:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study