2 Chronicles 10 5

2 Chronicles 10:5 kjv

And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.

2 Chronicles 10:5 nkjv

So he said to them, "Come back to me after three days." And the people departed.

2 Chronicles 10:5 niv

Rehoboam answered, "Come back to me in three days." So the people went away.

2 Chronicles 10:5 esv

He said to them, "Come to me again in three days." So the people went away.

2 Chronicles 10:5 nlt

Rehoboam replied, "Come back in three days for my answer." So the people went away.

2 Chronicles 10 verses

2 Chronicles 10 5 Meaning

King Rehoboam, faced with the immediate plea of Jeroboam and the assembled people of Israel for alleviation of the heavy burdens imposed by his father Solomon, responds by requesting a three-day period before he would deliver his final decision. In compliance with his instruction, the people then dispersed, awaiting the king's promised answer.

2 Chronicles 10 5 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 10 recounts the critical events immediately following the death of King Solomon and the ascension of his son, Rehoboam, to the throne. The setting is Shechem, where all Israel had assembled for Rehoboam's coronation. At this pivotal moment, Jeroboam (who had been an adversary to Solomon and a prophetically designated future king of Israel) and the entire assembly approach Rehoboam with a united plea: to lighten the harsh labor and heavy taxation burdens imposed during Solomon's reign, particularly his ambitious building projects. This verse (10:5) captures Rehoboam's initial response to their demand – a delay, rather than an immediate decision. It sets the stage for his subsequent consultations with two distinct groups of advisors, the older elders and his youthful peers, which ultimately culminates in the tragic division of the United Monarchy of Israel.

2 Chronicles 10 5 Word analysis

• He said (וַיֹּ֣אמֶר - wayyōʼmer): This refers to King Rehoboam. The Hebrew verb is a common preterite form, linking a sequence of actions. It denotes Rehoboam’s direct engagement and the initiation of his response to the people’s immediate petition. This immediate utterance highlights his presence and his temporary exercise of authority.
• to them (אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם - ʼǎlêhem): Refers to the assembled people of Israel who had come with Jeroboam, representing the unified voice of the nation seeking relief. This emphasizes the collective and serious nature of the petition Rehoboam was facing.
• “Come back to me” (שׁ֥וּבוּ אֵלַ֛י - šûḇû ʼēlāy): The verb šûḇû is an imperative, meaning "return" or "turn back." It's a direct royal command, demonstrating Rehoboam’s immediate assertion of his regal authority by dictating the people's next action. The phrase "to me" underscores that he perceived himself as the central figure and the source of the future decision, demanding their return to his presence for judgment.
• “in three days.” (לִשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִ֖ים - li-šelōšeth yāmîm): This phrase specifies the duration of the requested waiting period. Biblically, "three days" is a common timeframe that often precedes significant events, disclosures, or crucial decisions (though its spiritual significance varies by context). Here, it buys Rehoboam time for deliberation and consultation, allowing him to avoid a rash, on-the-spot commitment to their demands, while simultaneously building anticipation for his answer.
• So the people departed. (וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ הָעָ֖ם - wayyēleḵ hā‘ām): The Hebrew wayyēleḵ (from hālak) means "and he went," here applied collectively to "the people." Their departure signifies immediate compliance with the king's interim command. This act demonstrates their initial obedience and hopefulness, setting the stage for their return and the momentous answer they await, thereby suspending the critical negotiations for a brief, yet impactful, period.

• “He said to them, ‘Come back to me’”: This initial interaction illustrates Rehoboam’s attempt to manage a critical leadership moment. Instead of giving an instant reply, which might have been either rash or perceived as weak, he asserts his authority by demanding a return at a specified time. This approach, while initially displaying a degree of calculated decision-making or indecision, unfortunately, laid the groundwork for his eventual rejection of wisdom, demonstrating a focus on procedural control rather than seeking immediate divine counsel.
• “‘in three days.’ So the people departed.”: This phrase highlights a crucial pause in the narrative's tension. Rehoboam intentionally delays his response, a common tactic for deliberation in matters of state. The people's immediate compliance signifies their initial respect for the royal office and their willingness to await his considered judgment. This waiting period became a fateful juncture, offering Rehoboam an opportunity for discernment and counsel that he would ultimately squander through poor choices. The three days were an open door to either wisdom or folly.

2 Chronicles 10 5 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s inclusion of this detail about the "three days" reinforces the idea of a significant pause, not merely an arbitrary delay. In the wider biblical narrative, such three-day periods often mark a critical transition, a time of testing, or a prelude to revelation or a major event. Here, it functions as a moment of suspense before a consequential decision. While it granted Rehoboam time, his failure lay in how he used that time—consulting misguided human counsel instead of seeking God's will and aligning his heart with the principles of righteous kingship as outlined in the law. This deliberate portrayal emphasizes Rehoboam's personal accountability for the subsequent division, highlighting that the opportunity for wise leadership was presented, but willfully rejected.

2 Chronicles 10 5 Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:5 presents a seemingly innocuous but deeply pivotal moment in Israelite history. Rehoboam's decision to delay his answer for "three days" upon receiving the people's plea for relief was an opportunity to seek wisdom and potentially unify the kingdom under righteous leadership. However, this delay ultimately exposed his spiritual immaturity and flawed judgment. While taking time to consult is often wise, Rehoboam sought human counsel (elders and peers) rather than divine guidance, neglecting the counsel from the Lord and his covenant with Israel. This brief pause in the narrative builds suspense, leading to the king's tragic choice to heed the harsh advice of his youthful companions over the prudent counsel of the experienced elders. The verse therefore sets the stage for the irreparable schism of the kingdom, illustrating how even a period meant for thoughtful consideration can lead to disastrous consequences when divorced from godly wisdom and a heart committed to serving the people rather than self.