King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 10:2 Mean?

2 Chronicles 10:2 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 10:2 · KJV

Context

1

And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.

2

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.

3

And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,

4

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.

Read 2 Chronicles 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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 · 15 words
וַיְהִ֞י1 of 15
H1961

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

כִּשְׁמֹ֨עַ2 of 15

“heard”

H8085

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

יָֽרָבְעָ֖ם3 of 15

“And it came to pass when Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

בֶּן4 of 15

“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

נְבָט֙5 of 15

“of Nebat”

H5028

nebat, the father of jeroboam i

וְה֣וּא6 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃7 of 15

“out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 15
H834

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

בָּרַ֔ח9 of 15

“whither he had fled”

H1272

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

מִפְּנֵ֖י10 of 15

“from the presence”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה11 of 15

“of Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ12 of 15

“the king”

H4428

a king

וַיָּ֥שָׁב13 of 15

“returned”

H7725

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

יָֽרָבְעָ֖ם14 of 15

“And it came to pass when Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃15 of 15

“out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 10:2 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 10:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 11:401 Kings 11:281 Kings 11:261 Kings 12:2

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 10 →

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