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 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.
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.
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.
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
14 And answered them after the 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.
15 So the 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.
16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What 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.
17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
The book of 2 Chronicles is a historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah, and their relationship with God. Chapter 10 focuses on the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, and the division of the kingdom of Israel. This chapter highlights the consequences of Rehoboam's actions and the fulfillment of God's prophecy.
The chapter begins with the people of Israel gathering to make Rehoboam king. However, they also request for him to lighten the heavy load that his father Solomon had placed on them. Rehoboam seeks advice from the elders who had served his father, and they advise him to listen to the people and lighten their burden. However, Rehoboam also seeks counsel from his friends, who advise him to be even harsher than his father.
Rehoboam decides to follow the advice of his friends and responds harshly to the people, causing the ten tribes of Israel to rebel against him. This leads to the division of the kingdom, with Jeroboam being crowned as king over the ten tribes of Israel, while Rehoboam remains king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
Rehoboam's decision to ignore the wise counsel of the elders and follow the advice of his friends leads to grave consequences for the kingdom of Israel. The division of the kingdom weakens their power and leaves them vulnerable to attack from enemies. Additionally, the people of Israel turn away from God and begin to worship idols, leading to their downfall.
Furthermore, Rehoboam's decision to increase the burden on the people leads to a rebellion against him. The people of Israel stone Adoram, the man in charge of the labor force, and Rehoboam is forced to flee to Jerusalem. This rebellion is a fulfillment of God's prophecy through Ahijah, who had warned that the kingdom would be divided because of Solomon's idolatry.
The division of the kingdom of Israel is a significant event in the history of the Israelites. It marks the beginning of a long period of turmoil and conflict between the northern and southern kingdoms. It also shows the consequences of disobedience and the importance of seeking wise counsel.
Moreover, the division of the kingdom is a fulfillment of God's prophecy. The Lord had warned Solomon that because of his idolatry, the kingdom would be taken away from his descendants and given to his servant. This prophecy is fulfilled through the rebellion of the ten tribes of Israel and the crowning of Jeroboam as king.
Chapter 10 of 2 Chronicles serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of seeking wise counsel. Rehoboam's actions lead to the division of the kingdom and the downfall of the Israelites. This serves as a reminder to always follow God's ways and seek wisdom from those who are experienced and knowledgeable.
The chapter also highlights the fulfillment of God's prophecies. The division of the kingdom is a result of Solomon's idolatry, which was warned by the Lord through Ahijah. This shows that God's word will always come to pass, and His judgment will be fulfilled.
Furthermore, the division of the kingdom also serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The people of Israel begin to worship idols, and this leads to their downfall and destruction. It shows the importance of remaining faithful to God and not being swayed by worldly influences.
In conclusion, chapter 10 of 2 Chronicles is a significant chapter in the history of the Israelites. It highlights the division of the kingdom of Israel and the consequences of disobedience and seeking unwise counsel. It also serves as a reminder of the fulfillment of God's prophecies and the importance of remaining faithful to Him. This chapter teaches valuable lessons about obedience, wisdom, and the consequences of turning away from God.
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