2 Chronicles 10 6

2 Chronicles 10:6 kjv

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?

2 Chronicles 10:6 nkjv

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, saying, "How do you advise me to answer these people?"

2 Chronicles 10:6 niv

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked.

2 Chronicles 10:6 esv

Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, "How do you advise me to answer this people?"

2 Chronicles 10:6 nlt

Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. "What is your advice?" he asked. "How should I answer these people?"

2 Chronicles 10 verses

2 Chronicles 10 6 Meaning

This verse details King Rehoboam's initial act upon ascending the throne: consulting the seasoned advisors who had served his father, King Solomon, to determine his response to the people's plea for relief from heavy burdens. It marks the critical juncture where the new king, faced with a popular demand, sought counsel before making a momentous decision regarding the future governance of the united kingdom.

2 Chronicles 10 6 Context

The book of 2 Chronicles, written from a priestly perspective, emphasizes the Davidic covenant and righteous kingship, often attributing success to faithfulness and disaster to apostasy. Chapter 10 immediately follows the detailed account of Solomon's magnificent but taxing reign. After Solomon's death, the united kingdom faces a moment of truth. The people, specifically the tribes of Israel, gather at Shechem to make Rehoboam king, but only on condition that he lightens the heavy yoke of forced labor (mas) and taxation imposed by Solomon for his vast building projects and lavish lifestyle (2 Chr 10:4). This verse sets the scene for Rehoboam's pivotal decision. Instead of immediately addressing the people, he seeks advice, initially from those with wisdom and experience from his father's era, highlighting an initial semblance of prudence. The historical backdrop includes the significant economic strain placed on the northern tribes under Solomon, which simmered as a deep grievance, ready to boil over upon his succession.

2 Chronicles 10 6 Word analysis

• So: This transitional word connects Rehoboam's action to the preceding demand by the people, indicating his response to their terms.
• King Rehoboam: Refers to the newly crowned monarch, son and successor to King Solomon. His identity is crucial as he inherits not only the kingdom but also its challenges and underlying tensions.
• consulted: From the Hebrew verb ya'ats (יעץ), meaning "to advise," "to counsel," "to consult." This word signifies an active seeking of opinion or strategy, suggesting an initial intention towards informed decision-making. It highlights the customary practice of monarchs seeking counsel.
• with the old men: Hebrew zěqēnîm (זקנים). This term refers to elders, not merely in age but in recognized status as experienced leaders, wise men, and advisors within the community and royal court. They represent a reservoir of traditional wisdom, historical knowledge, and practical understanding of governance. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, elders were repositories of accumulated societal wisdom.
• who had stood before Solomon his father: This phrase is significant, implying that these "old men" were established and trusted advisors in King Solomon's inner circle. They possessed direct, first-hand experience of Solomon's methods, policies, successes, and the grievances they spawned. Their counsel would thus be rooted in long-term observation and practical statecraft under Rehoboam's highly esteemed, yet problematic, predecessor.
• while he was still alive: This reinforces the direct, living experience these elders had with Solomon. They witnessed the realities of his rule and the implications of his decisions as they unfolded. This phrase highlights the credibility and depth of their perspective.
• saying, 'How do you advise me to answer this people?': This direct question reveals Rehoboam's specific dilemma and his immediate need for a strategic reply to the demanding assembly. It emphasizes the critical nature of the moment and the expectation that the king should respond appropriately to his subjects' pleas, highlighting his public role.

Words-group Analysis:

• "King Rehoboam consulted with the old men": This grouping highlights the initial positive step taken by the young king. He didn't immediately reject the people's plea but sought seasoned wisdom, a fundamental act of good leadership (Prov 11:14).
• "who had stood before Solomon his father while he was still alive": This extended phrase underlines the specific expertise and credentials of the advisors. They weren't just any elders but ones directly privy to the inner workings and consequences of the previous, foundational reign. This establishes the potential value of their counsel as informed by history.
• "'How do you advise me to answer this people?'": This question frames the core challenge of Rehoboam's early reign: how to balance royal authority with popular demands, and how to govern effectively by addressing grievances rather than intensifying them. It's a question about statecraft and the maintenance of unity.

2 Chronicles 10 6 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's narrative emphasizes the significance of wise counsel, setting the stage for Rehoboam's fateful decision. Unlike Kings, which places more emphasis on God's judgment for Solomon's sins (1 Ki 11:29-39), Chronicles foregrounds Rehoboam's agency and the direct consequences of his choices in governance as the immediate cause of the split, while still acknowledging God's hand in it (2 Chr 10:15).
• This initial consultation of the old men highlights a lost opportunity for unity and a more just leadership. Their wisdom likely represented a continuity of good governance principles that prioritize the well-being of the people over the monarch's personal ambition or prestige, echoing themes of just rulers throughout the Bible.
• The dynamic between young and old advisors, as depicted here and in the subsequent verses, is a recurring theme in history and leadership, often contrasting youthful exuberance or arrogance with the prudence and foresight that comes from extensive experience and tested judgment.

2 Chronicles 10 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:6 is a pivotal verse, initiating Rehoboam's consultation process that would tragically lead to the kingdom's division. The king's act of consulting the zěqēnîm, the seasoned elders who had served his wise father Solomon, appears at first glance to be a prudent and commendable step. It signifies a ruler's recognition of the need for wise counsel, aligning with biblical wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 11:14). These advisors possessed deep institutional memory, understanding both Solomon's grandeur and the crushing weight of his taxation and forced labor policies which directly led to the people's revolt. Their advice, rooted in experience and an understanding of the long-term well-being of the kingdom, was implicitly aligned with a more empathetic, measured approach to governance, in stark contrast to the severity of Solomon's later rule. This consultation presents a clear choice before Rehoboam: continue the heavy-handed policies of his father or show leniency and secure the people's loyalty. The wisdom sought here is practical, political wisdom crucial for maintaining stability. The failure, as subsequent verses show, was not in seeking counsel, but in the prideful rejection of this proven, benevolent wisdom in favor of less experienced, self-serving advice, ultimately bringing about the judgment of division ordained by God (2 Chr 10:15).