King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 10:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 10:9 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ea...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?”

2 Chronicles 10:9 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

10

And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

11

For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. my father put: Heb. my father laded

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

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
לֵאמֹ֔ר1 of 21

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֗ם2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָ֚ה3 of 21
H4100

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

אַתֶּ֣ם4 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים5 of 21

“unto them What advice”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

וְנָשִׁ֥יב6 of 21

“give ye that we may return”

H7725

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

דָּבָ֖ר7 of 21

“answer”

H1697

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

אֶת8 of 21
H853

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

הָעָ֣ם9 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

הַזֶּ֑ה10 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁ֨ר11 of 21
H834

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

דִּבְּר֤וּ12 of 21

“which have spoken”

H1696

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

אֵלַי֙13 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹ֔ר14 of 21

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָקֵל֙15 of 21

“Ease”

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

מִן16 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעֹ֔ל17 of 21

“somewhat the yoke”

H5923

a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively

אֲשֶׁר18 of 21
H834

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

נָתַ֥ן19 of 21

“did put”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אָבִ֖יךָ20 of 21

“that thy father”

H1

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

עָלֵֽינוּ׃21 of 21
H5921

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

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 10:9 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 10:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 17:5-62 Chronicles 10:61 Kings 22:6-8

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