King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 10:16 Mean?

2 Chronicles 10:16 in the King James Version says “And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion ha... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 10:16 · KJV


Context

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.

18

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


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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 · 31 words
וְכָל1 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל2 of 31

And when all Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כִּ֠י3 of 31
H3588

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

לֹֽא4 of 31
H3808

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

שָׁמַ֣ע5 of 31

would not hearken

H8085

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

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ׀6 of 31

that the king

H4428

a king

לָהֶם֒7 of 31
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וַיָּשִׁ֣יבוּ8 of 31

answered

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הָעָ֣ם9 of 31

unto them the people

H5971

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

אֶת10 of 31
H853

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

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ׀11 of 31

that the king

H4428

a king

לֵאמֹ֡ר12 of 31

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַה13 of 31
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לָּנוּ֩14 of 31
H0
חֵ֨לֶק15 of 31

What portion

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

דָּוִ֑יד16 of 31

and now David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְלֹֽא17 of 31
H3808

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

נַחֲלָ֣ה18 of 31

and we have none inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

בְּבֶן19 of 31

in 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

יִשַׁ֗י20 of 31

of Jesse

H3448

jishai, david's father

אִ֤ישׁ21 of 31

every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְאֹֽהָלָֽיו׃22 of 31

to their tents

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל23 of 31

And when all Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עַתָּ֕ה24 of 31
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

רְאֵ֥ה25 of 31

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בֵֽיתְךָ֖26 of 31

to thine own house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

דָּוִ֑יד27 of 31

and now David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ28 of 31
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

כָּל29 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל30 of 31

And when all Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְאֹֽהָלָֽיו׃31 of 31

to their tents

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)


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 10:16 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 10:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study