2 Chronicles 10 2

2 Chronicles 10:2 kjv

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 10:2 nkjv

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.

2 Chronicles 10:2 niv

When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt.

2 Chronicles 10:2 esv

And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt.

2 Chronicles 10:2 nlt

When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this, he returned from Egypt, for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon.

2 Chronicles 10 verses

2 Chronicles 10 2 Meaning

This verse marks a critical juncture in the biblical narrative, signifying the return of Jeroboam, who had been in exile in Egypt, back into the land of Israel. His return is prompted by the news of King Solomon's death, clearing the way for him to step into the destiny prophesied over him—to rule over ten tribes of Israel, ultimately leading to the kingdom's division. It establishes him as a pivotal figure poised to challenge Rehoboam's succession and the unity of the Davidic monarchy.

2 Chronicles 10 2 Context

The events in 2 Chronicles chapter 10 occur immediately after King Solomon's death, as chronicled in the preceding chapter. Solomon's reign, though marked by wisdom and wealth, ended with apostasy and heavy taxation/forced labor that burdened the people. Chapter 10 opens with Rehoboam, Solomon's son, going to Shechem to be crowned king, a customary gathering place for tribal assent. News of Solomon's death and the impending coronation reached Jeroboam, who had been an adversary to Solomon due to God's prophecy concerning the division of the kingdom. This verse serves to reintroduce Jeroboam as a key protagonist at this critical juncture, bringing him from his forced exile back into the center of the political and theological drama of Israel. Historically, Egypt often served as a refuge for political fugitives from Canaan, highlighting its strategic significance in regional power dynamics.

2 Chronicles 10 2 Word analysis

• Now: (Heb. וְהִנֵּה, vehinneh) – An emphatic particle, often translated as "behold" or "and behold," drawing immediate attention to the upcoming subject. It signifies a sudden and important development in the narrative.
• Jeroboam: (Heb. יָרָבְעָם, Yārob‘ām) – Meaning "the people will contend" or "he increases the people." This name proves ironic as his rise directly leads to the greatest contention and division among the people of Israel.
• the son of Nebat: Identifies his paternal lineage and differentiates him from others. Nebat was from Ephraim (1 Kgs 11:26), a significant detail as Jeroboam would eventually lead the northern tribes, Ephraim being the most prominent.
• who was in Egypt: Explicitly states his geographical location at the time of the news. His presence in Egypt was a result of Solomon's persecution.
• when he heard it: This implies intelligence received regarding Solomon's death, signaling a shift in power. It marks the trigger for his subsequent actions, a moment of divine timing.
• for he had fled: (Heb. כִּי בָרַח, kî bāraḥ) – Provides the reason for his being in Egypt. "Fled" suggests an urgent, compelled departure, confirming the severe threat posed by Solomon.
• from King Solomon: Pinpoints the pursuer, establishing the clear conflict that drove Jeroboam into exile and validating the previous prophetic context regarding God's judgment on Solomon.
• and Jeroboam had dwelt in Egypt: Repetition of his location and the act of "dwelling" (Heb. וַיֵּשֶׁב, vayyeshev from יָשַׁב, yashav meaning "to sit, remain, dwell") emphasizes that his stay was not brief or temporary, but rather a settled residence, making his immediate return upon hearing the news more significant. It conveys a period of established refuge.
• returned from Egypt: The decisive action, indicating his journey back to Israel. This marks his re-entry into the biblical narrative and the political sphere, prepared to assume his prophesied role. His return signals the beginning of the prophetic fulfillment of Israel's division.

Words-group analysis:

• "Now Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt,": Establishes the key character, his identity, and his immediate context, setting the stage for his re-emergence.
• "when he heard it (for he had fled from King Solomon and Jeroboam had dwelt in Egypt),": This parenthetical clause provides crucial background and motivation. "When he heard it" is the immediate impetus. The explanatory "for he had fled from King Solomon and Jeroboam had dwelt in Egypt" reinforces the depth and duration of his exile, contextualizing his availability and readiness for a leadership role, driven by the change in the monarchy. The repetition underscores the legitimacy of his prior flight and extended stay.
• "returned from Egypt.": The conclusive action, the outcome of the preceding details, propelling the narrative towards the kingdom's imminent division. It implies not merely a physical journey but a strategic, divinely timed re-entry into the historical unfolding of God's plan for Israel.

2 Chronicles 10 2 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on Jeroboam's presence and "dwelling" in Egypt, combined with his swift return upon hearing news of Solomon's death, highlights a recurring biblical pattern of leaders being providentially preserved or prepared in a foreign land before their divine assignment. Just as Moses fled to Midian, or Abraham sojourned in Egypt, Jeroboam's sojourn was part of the divine timetable. The Chronicler’s concise yet precise mention of "fled from King Solomon" is crucial; it links Jeroboam directly to the judgment declared upon Solomon’s house and points to the inevitability of the kingdom's division. It's not a mere coincidence, but a part of God's intricate working of His purposes. The verse prepares the audience to see Jeroboam not as an opportunistic rebel, but as one responding to the specific political vacuum and implicitly, God's orchestration.

2 Chronicles 10 2 Commentary

This verse, concise yet potent, serves as a narrative fulcrum, pivoting the chronicler's account from Solomon's finished reign to the immediate genesis of the divided kingdom. By stating Jeroboam's return from Egypt upon hearing of Solomon's death, it quickly reintroduces the man who, by divine decree, was chosen to lead ten tribes. His presence in Egypt, "fleeing from King Solomon," subtly but strongly recalls God's prophetic word through Ahijah (1 Kings 11), revealing God's hand in sovereignly preserving His chosen instrument until the appointed time. The reiteration of his "dwelling" in Egypt emphasizes the permanence of his exile, making his active return a deliberate, weighty act of stepping into his foretold destiny. This verse highlights the immediacy with which a new political reality could arise upon the passing of a king, setting the stage for Rehoboam's disastrous counsel and the ultimate fulfillment of God's word concerning the fracturing of the united monarchy.