King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 10:6 Mean?

2 Chronicles 10:6 in the King James Version says “And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, Wha...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?”

2 Chronicles 10:6 · KJV

Context

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.

5

And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.

6

And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?

7

And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

8

But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?

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
נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים1 of 21

“counsel give”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ2 of 21

“And king”

H4428

a king

רְחַבְעָ֗ם3 of 21

“Rehoboam”

H7346

rechabam, an israelite king

אֶת4 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַזְּקֵנִים֙5 of 21

“with the old”

H2205

old

אֲשֶׁר6 of 21
H834

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

הָי֣וּ7 of 21
H1961

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

עֹֽמְדִ֗ים8 of 21

“men that had stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לִפְנֵי֙9 of 21

“before”

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

שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה10 of 21

“Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

אָבִ֔יו11 of 21

“his father”

H1

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

בִּֽהְיֹת֥וֹ12 of 21
H1961

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

חַ֖י13 of 21

“while he yet lived”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

לֵאמֹ֑ר14 of 21

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֚יךְ15 of 21

“What”

H349

how? or how!; also where

אַתֶּ֣ם16 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים17 of 21

“counsel give”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

לְהָשִׁ֥יב18 of 21

“ye me to return”

H7725

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

לָֽעָם19 of 21

“to this people”

H5971

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

הַזֶּ֖ה20 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

דָּבָֽר׃21 of 21

“answer”

H1697

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

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 10:6 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 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 32:72 Samuel 16:20Job 8:8-92 Samuel 17:5-6Job 12:12-13Proverbs 27:10

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