📖 2 Chronicles — Chapter 10 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Chronicles 10:1 And RRehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.
2 Chronicles 10:2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
2 Chronicles 10:3 And Rthey sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,
2 Chronicles 10:4 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.
2 Chronicles 10:5 And he said unto them, RCome again unto me after three days. And the people departed.
2 Chronicles 10:6 And king Rehoboam Rtook 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 10:7 And they spake unto him, saying, RIf thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
2 Chronicles 10:8 But Rhe 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.
2 Chronicles 10:9 And he said unto them, RWhat 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 10:10 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, RMy little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
2 Chronicles 10:11 For whereas Tmy father put a heavy yoke upon you, RI will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
2 Chronicles 10:12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, RCome again to me on the third day.
2 Chronicles 10:13 And the king Ranswered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
2 Chronicles 10:14 And answered them after Rthe advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
2 Chronicles 10:15 So Rthe king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
2 Chronicles 10:16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, RWhat 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.
2 Chronicles 10:17 RBut as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
2 Chronicles 10:18 Then king Rehoboam sent RHadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam Tmade speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 10:19 And RIsrael rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 10:1–7 — A request and wise counsel
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
At Shechem the people ask Rehoboam to ease the heavy burden imposed under Solomon. He asks for time and consults the older advisers, who urge kindness and good words. The request offers an opportunity to lead through attentive service. The advisers connect lasting loyalty with how the king treats the people.
Key Truth: Listen carefully to those affected by your decisions.
Check What You Remember
1. Where did Israel gather to make Rehoboam king? (2 Chronicles 10:1)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:1 (KJV).
2. From which country did Jeroboam return? (2 Chronicles 10:2)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:2 (KJV).
3. What did the older advisers urge? (2 Chronicles 10:7)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 10:8–15 — Harsh advice chosen
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Rehoboam rejects the older counsel and follows his peers' advice to threaten greater burdens. He answers roughly instead of listening. The narrator connects the resulting division with God's earlier word, while still describing the king's damaging choices. God's purposes do not turn harshness into wisdom or excuse the refusal to hear.
Key Truth: Choose counsel by its wisdom rather than its appeal to pride.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose counsel did Rehoboam forsake? (2 Chronicles 10:8)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:8 (KJV).
2. On which day did the people return? (2 Chronicles 10:12)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:12 (KJV).
3. Which prophet had spoken the earlier word to Jeroboam? (2 Chronicles 10:15)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:15 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 10:16–19 — The kingdom divided
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The people reject the house of David, while Rehoboam retains those dwelling in Judah. Hadoram is killed, and the king flees to Jerusalem. The refusal to listen has become a lasting division. The chapter exposes how a leader's words and decisions can deepen suffering and break a community's trust.
Key Truth: Leadership should preserve trust rather than provoke division.
Check What You Remember
1. Over which cities' inhabitants did Rehoboam still reign? (2 Chronicles 10:17)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:17 (KJV).
2. Who was killed when sent over the tribute? (2 Chronicles 10:18)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:18 (KJV).
3. To which city did Rehoboam flee? (2 Chronicles 10:18)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 10:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 15:1 — The proverb contrasts a gentle answer with grievous words that stir anger.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where could listening and a gentler answer prevent needless division?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What commitment accompanies the people’s request for a lighter yoke?
2. How do the two groups’ advice differ?
3. How does the king’s actual reply reflect his choice of advisers?
4. What does the narrator say about the cause behind this turn?
5. How does the final episode display the seriousness of the division?
Notes
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