2 Chronicles 10 4

2 Chronicles 10:4 kjv

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 10:4 nkjv

"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."

2 Chronicles 10:4 niv

"Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you."

2 Chronicles 10:4 esv

"Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you."

2 Chronicles 10:4 nlt

"Your father was a hard master," they said. "Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects."

2 Chronicles 10 verses

2 Chronicles 10 4 Meaning

2 Chronicles 10:4 presents the plea of the assembly of Israel to Rehoboam, Solomon's son, at the beginning of his reign. The people demand a reduction in the heavy burdens of taxation and forced labor that his father Solomon had imposed upon them, particularly for his vast building projects. Their request is a condition for their continued loyal service, indicating a transactional view of kingship where their allegiance is tied to the king's benevolent rule. This pivotal verse highlights the people's deep suffering under Solomon's latter reign and sets the stage for the dramatic division of the United Monarchy.

2 Chronicles 10 4 Context

This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the history of Israel, immediately following the reign of King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and the unparalleled splendor of his kingdom, but also for his later spiritual compromise and extensive building programs that heavily taxed the populace. After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne in Jerusalem, but the united kingdom of Israel convened at Shechem for his formal recognition. The representatives from all tribes, notably including Jeroboam (who had been forewarned by the prophet Ahijah that he would receive ten tribes due to Solomon's sin), presented this demand. Their request stems from the perception of Solomon's vast projects (like the temple and palace constructions, fortified cities) as burdensome corvée labor and severe taxation that strained the common people, diminishing their well-being and loyalty. The people were appealing to the new king to start his reign with compassion and relief, a request that would critically test his wisdom and lead to the dramatic schism of the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 10 4 Word analysis

• Your father: Refers specifically to King Solomon, Rehoboam's deceased father. This implicitly acknowledges Solomon's wisdom but points to the negative legacy of his latter reign regarding domestic policy.
• made our yoke grievous: The Hebrew phrase for "made... grievous" is כִּבֵּד (kibbēd), meaning 'made heavy' or 'honored', but in this context, it unequivocally means 'made burdensome' or 'oppressive'. The term "yoke" (עֹל, 'ol) is a common biblical metaphor for servitude, especially forced labor or slavery. It evokes the image of animals straining under a heavy wooden bar, symbolizing oppression, hardship, and control.
• now therefore ease somewhat: The imperative verb "ease" is הָקֵל (haqēl), meaning 'lighten' or 'make slight'. The addition of "somewhat" or "from upon us" (מֵעָלֵינוּ, me'ālênû) underscores the urgent desire for alleviation, even partial. This shows the people weren't asking for complete removal of their obligations but for merciful moderation.
• the grievous servitude: The Hebrew "grievous servitude" is עֲבֹדַת קָשָׁה ('ǎḇōḏaṯ qāšâ). 'Avodat means 'service' or 'labor', often referring to compulsory service, like the slavery of Israelites in Egypt (Ex 1:14). Qashah means 'hard', 'severe', 'cruel'. This phrase strongly highlights the perceived harshness and intensity of the labor imposed on them.
• and his heavy yoke: Repetition of the "yoke" (עֹל, 'ol) combined with "heavy" (כָּבֵד, kāḇēḏ) emphasizes the degree of their burden. This poetic parallelism underscores their suffering and appeal, stressing the physical and economic weight on the populace.
• that we may serve thee: The word for "serve" (וְנַעֲבָדֶךָ, wənaʿăḇāḏeḵā) signifies loyalty, allegiance, and fulfilling duties to the king. This statement is a conditional pledge: loyalty and service are promised in exchange for eased burdens. It outlines a clear reciprocal expectation in the relationship between king and subject.

Words-group Analysis

• "Your father made our yoke grievous... his heavy yoke": This dual emphasis on "grievous yoke" and "heavy yoke" underlines the people's collective memory of immense hardship under Solomon, whose grand projects required significant forced labor and taxes (e.g., corvée system detailed in 1 Kgs 9:15-22). It serves as an indictment of a king known for wisdom yet whose later policies led to economic strain and social unrest, ironically setting the stage for national division.
• "now therefore ease somewhat... that we may serve thee": This phrase encapsulates a fundamental tenet of covenant kingship: the king's rule was meant to be for the welfare of the people, not their oppression. The people are proposing a quid pro quo – relief from burdens in exchange for continued loyalty. This request also functions as a stark warning; failure to lighten the load would have consequences for Rehoboam's reign, foreshadowing the eventual rebellion of the northern tribes.

2 Chronicles 10 4 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's emphasis on this incident highlights divine sovereignty in the division of the kingdom, often pointing back to Yahweh's displeasure with Solomon's idolatry and not simply human folly. This human plea becomes a pivot point in God's wider plan (2 Chr 10:15).
• The "yoke" metaphor echoes the Exodus experience where God "broke the bars of your yoke" (Lev 26:13) in delivering Israel from Egyptian bondage, placing Rehoboam's actions in stark contrast to divine liberation.
• The socio-economic tension behind this request illustrates the biblical tension between monarchical power and the ideal of a covenant people where all are equal before God and exploitation is forbidden, even by the king (cf. Dt 17:14-20; 1 Sam 8:11-18).

2 Chronicles 10 4 Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:4 presents the Israelites' plea to King Rehoboam, a defining moment that revealed the strained relationship between the monarchy and the people, primarily due to King Solomon's later excesses. The "grievous yoke" and "heavy yoke" metaphorically represent the oppressive taxes and compulsory labor that Solomon had imposed to finance his extensive building programs, despite the grandeur they brought. The people's demand was not for an end to service, but for a lighter, more merciful form of governance. Their promise, "that we may serve thee," reveals a pragmatic, almost conditional loyalty, signaling that their allegiance was directly linked to the king's just and compassionate rule. Rehoboam's failure to heed this humble, reasonable request from his people, opting instead for a harsher approach as advised by his younger counselors (detailed in subsequent verses), would directly lead to the fragmentation of the unified kingdom. This verse, therefore, stands as a profound testament to the consequences of tyrannical leadership and the crucial role of wisdom and empathy in maintaining a united populace. It reminds rulers that true strength lies not in oppression, but in benevolent care for those they govern, resonating with principles of just leadership found throughout the Scriptures.