King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 10:18 Mean?

2 Chronicles 10:18 in the King James Version says “Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he di... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

2 Chronicles 10:18 · KJV


Context

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

19

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


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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 · 21 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח1 of 21

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ2 of 21

But king

H4428

a king

רְחַבְעָ֗ם3 of 21

Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

אֶת4 of 21
H853

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

הֲדֹרָם֙5 of 21

Hadoram

H1913

hadoram, a son of joktan, and the tribe descended from him

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 21
H834

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

עַל7 of 21
H5921

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

הַמַּ֔ס8 of 21

that was over the tribute

H4522

properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e., a tax in the form of forced labor

וַיִּרְגְּמוּ9 of 21

stoned

H7275

to cast together (stones), i.e., to lapidate

ב֧וֹ10 of 21
H0
בְנֵֽי11 of 21

and the children

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל12 of 21

of Israel

H3478

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

אֶ֖בֶן13 of 21

him with stones

H68

a stone

וַיָּמֹ֑ת14 of 21

that he died

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ15 of 21

But king

H4428

a king

רְחַבְעָ֗ם16 of 21

Rehoboam

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

הִתְאַמֵּץ֙17 of 21

made speed

H553

to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)

לַֽעֲל֣וֹת18 of 21

to get him up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בַּמֶּרְכָּבָ֔ה19 of 21

to his chariot

H4818

a chariot

לָנ֖וּס20 of 21

to flee

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃21 of 21

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


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 10:18 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 10:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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