2 Chronicles 10 3

2 Chronicles 10:3 kjv

And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,

2 Chronicles 10:3 nkjv

Then they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

2 Chronicles 10:3 niv

So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him:

2 Chronicles 10:3 esv

And they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and said to Rehoboam,

2 Chronicles 10:3 nlt

The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and all Israel went to speak with Rehoboam.

2 Chronicles 10 verses

2 Chronicles 10 3 Meaning

2 Chronicles 10:3 describes the pivotal moment when Jeroboam, along with representatives of all the northern tribes of Israel, formally approached King Rehoboam at Shechem. Their purpose was to present a unified petition regarding the heavy burdens imposed upon them during King Solomon's reign, laying the groundwork for the momentous split of the Israelite kingdom.

2 Chronicles 10 3 Context

2 Chronicles 10:3 is set in Shechem, a strategically and historically significant city for the Israelite tribes, chosen for Rehoboam's coronation rather than Jerusalem. Immediately prior to this, Solomon had died (2 Chr 9:31), and his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne (2 Chr 10:1). Jeroboam, who had fled to Egypt to escape Solomon, was now summoned back by the people (2 Chr 10:2), indicating his emerging role as their spokesperson and potential leader.

The broader historical context is the legacy of King Solomon's extensive building projects (e.g., the Temple, his palace, fortified cities) which, while magnificent, were accomplished through heavy taxation and widespread forced labor, often termed "corvée." These burdens, detailed in books like 1 Kings 5, weighed heavily on the people, particularly the northern tribes, creating deep-seated resentment. Thus, when Jeroboam and "all Israel" approached Rehoboam, they were seeking relief from an oppressive system that had developed under the previous reign. This gathering at Shechem marks the climax of growing discontent and the final attempt to address their grievances before an irreparable split occurred, which God had already prophesied (1 Kgs 11:29-39).

2 Chronicles 10 3 Word analysis

• So: (Hebrew: va - and, then) This conjunction indicates a logical continuation or consequence. It links the people's summoning of Jeroboam from Egypt (2 Chr 10:2) with their united approach to Rehoboam. It emphasizes the immediacy of the action following Jeroboam's return, suggesting that his presence catalyzed the confrontation.
• Jeroboam: (Hebrew: יָרָבְעָם, Yārob‘ām, meaning "the people contend" or "he will contend the people") This figure is crucial. His return from exile in Egypt positions him as a natural leader for the aggrieved northern tribes, fulfilling elements of the divine prophecy given to him by Ahijah the prophet in 1 Kgs 11. His name itself could be seen as foreshadowing the contention and division that was about to unfold.
• and all Israel: (Hebrew: כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל, kol-Yisrael) This phrase signifies the ten northern tribes (excluding Judah and Benjamin) acting as a unified body. Their collective presence underscores the widespread nature of the grievances and the depth of the national crisis. It highlights that the petition was not just from a faction but from the majority of the united kingdom's populace, giving the delegation immense weight. It implies their legitimacy and strength in numbers.
• came: (Hebrew: בָאוּ, ba'u, "they came") This verb denotes their physical presence and active participation in the delegation. It shows initiative and a collective journey to Shechem to confront Rehoboam.
• and spoke: (Hebrew: וַיְדַבְּרוּ, vaydabberu, "and they spoke") This signifies an official communication, a direct address, and a presentation of their case. It implies that this was a formal negotiation or demand, not a casual discussion. This act was critical, as the fate of the kingdom hinged on Rehoboam's response to their spoken words.
• to Rehoboam: (Hebrew: אֶל־רְחַבְעָם, ’el-Reḥab‘ām) The son and heir of King Solomon (Hebrew: רְחַבְעָם, Reḥab‘ām, meaning "he enlarges the people" or "a people has been enlarged"). This explicitly states who the petitioners were addressing. Their appeal was directly to the legitimate successor to the throne, underscoring their initial desire for reconciliation and an improvement within the existing Davidic monarchy, rather than outright rebellion. They still sought leadership from the Davidic line.
• saying: (Hebrew: לֵאמֹר, le’mor, "saying," "as follows") This introduces the specific content of their petition, which follows in the subsequent verses (2 Chr 10:4). It prepares the reader for the articulation of the core issue that led to the division of the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 10 3 Bonus section

The Chronicler's emphasis on "all Israel" coming to Rehoboam subtly reinforces the legitimacy of Rehoboam's claim at this stage, highlighting that the nation was initially united in bringing their grievances to their designated king. The focus in Chronicles, distinct from Kings, is often on the legitimacy of the Davidic line and the unified worship at the Temple. Therefore, this moment of unity, though short-lived, is crucial as a point of divergence before the irreversible division occurs, which the Chronicler ultimately attributes to divine decree due to Israel's idolatry. The narrative indirectly showcases how even within God's sovereign plan for judgment (the split), human actions—or in Rehoboam's case, lack of wisdom—still play a significant, culpable role.

2 Chronicles 10 3 Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:3 presents a defining moment in Israelite history, depicting the combined approach of Jeroboam and "all Israel" to King Rehoboam. This act at Shechem, a place laden with covenantal and historical significance (Joshua 24), demonstrates a concerted effort by the northern tribes to seek redress from the new monarch. Their grievances stemmed from the oppressive forced labor and heavy taxation exacted during Solomon's magnificent reign, which, though producing splendid achievements, had come at a considerable human cost.

The presence of "Jeroboam" at the head of this delegation is deeply significant. Not only was he a prominent figure whom Solomon had sought to eliminate, but he was also the man to whom God, through the prophet Ahijah, had promised ten tribes (1 Kgs 11:29-39). Thus, his leadership here is not merely political but divinely ordained, serving as an instrument for God's judgment against Solomon's apostasy (1 Kgs 11:11-13).

This verse establishes the unified plea, signaling the culmination of simmering discontent and setting the stage for the dramatic decision Rehoboam must make. It highlights the principle that even rightful kingship required a responsive and just relationship with the people, contrasting with the autocratic burdens imposed by Solomon. The tribes were seeking a new covenant from their new king, reminiscent of the conditional relationship seen in David's coronation (2 Sam 5:1-3). The tragic irony unfolds as Rehoboam fails to heed the wisdom of his elders, sealing the fate of the divided kingdom. This moment serves as a timeless lesson in leadership: genuine authority is often strengthened by humble listening and compassionate response, rather than rigid assertion and pride.