2 Chronicles 10

This chapter recounts the events leading to the division of the kingdom of Israel after Solomon's death. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, becomes king and faces a critical decision when the people ask for relief from the heavy burdens placed on them. His response triggers a major split, dividing the united monarchy into two kingdoms: Judah and Israel.

2 Chronicles 10:1-5 (NKJV)
1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king.
2 So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), that Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
3 Then they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
4 “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”
5 So he said to them, “Come back to me after three days.” And the people departed.

Rehoboam travels to Shechem to be crowned king, but Jeroboam, a former servant of Solomon, returns from Egypt, where he had fled. The people of Israel, led by Jeroboam, ask Rehoboam to lighten the heavy labor and taxes imposed by Solomon. This was a plea for more compassionate leadership. Rehoboam, unsure of how to respond, requests three days to consider their request. This sets the stage for a pivotal decision that will define his reign.

2 Chronicles 10:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, saying, “How do you advise me to answer these people?”
7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.”

Rehoboam seeks counsel from the elders who had served under Solomon. Their advice is clear: if Rehoboam treats the people kindly and speaks to them with respect, they will remain loyal to him. The elders emphasize the power of kindness and diplomacy in leadership, urging him to adopt a compassionate approach to maintain unity and stability.

2 Chronicles 10:8-11 (NKJV)
8 But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
9 And he said to them, “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”
10 Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to the people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist!
11 And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’”

Rehoboam dismisses the advice of the elders and turns to his younger peers, who encourage a harsher response. They suggest that Rehoboam assert his power by increasing the burdens even more, using stronger punishments. This advice reflects arrogance and an absence of empathy for the people’s struggles, contrasting sharply with the wisdom of the elders.

2 Chronicles 10:12-14 (NKJV)
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had directed, saying, “Come back to me the third day.”
13 Then the king answered them roughly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders,
14 and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!”

On the third day, when the people return for Rehoboam's decision, he follows the advice of the young men, responding harshly. He tells them that instead of lightening their burdens, he will increase them. His decision to speak roughly and impose greater hardship alienates the people, setting the stage for rebellion. His rejection of the elder's advice reveals poor judgment and lack of foresight.

2 Chronicles 10:15-16 (NKJV)
15 So the king did not listen to the people; for the turn of events was from God, that the Lord might fulfill His word, which He had spoken by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
16 Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: “What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!” So all Israel departed to their tents.

Rehoboam’s decision not to listen to the people's request leads to a significant turning point. The people's response is to reject the Davidic rule over Israel, declaring they no longer have a share in David's dynasty. This fulfills God's prophecy through Ahijah regarding Jeroboam's rise. The tribes of Israel, except Judah, abandon Rehoboam, leading to the division of the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 10:17-19 (NKJV)
17 But Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah.
18 Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was in charge of revenue; but the children of Israel stoned him with stones, and he died. Therefore King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste to flee to Jerusalem.
19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

Rehoboam retains control over the kingdom of Judah, but his authority over Israel is lost. When he sends Hadoram, the overseer of forced labor, to negotiate with the northern tribes, they stone him to death. This violent rejection forces Rehoboam to flee to Jerusalem, cementing the split of the united monarchy. The chapter ends with Israel in a state of rebellion against the Davidic kingship, a division that would last for generations.