2 Chronicles 10 8

2 Chronicles 10:8 kjv

But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

2 Chronicles 10:8 nkjv

But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

2 Chronicles 10:8 niv

But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

2 Chronicles 10:8 esv

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.

2 Chronicles 10:8 nlt

But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers.

2 Chronicles 10 verses

2 Chronicles 10 8 Meaning

2 Chronicles 10:8 reveals Rehoboam's pivotal, disastrous decision to reject the sagacious counsel of experienced elders in favor of the harsh, ill-considered advice from his youthful peers. This verse underscores a fundamental leadership flaw: the abandonment of tried wisdom for the validation of self-serving ambition, leading directly to the schism of the united Israelite kingdom.

2 Chronicles 10 8 Context

This verse is situated at a critical juncture in Israelite history, immediately following King Solomon's death and his son Rehoboam's ascent to the throne. The people, led by Jeroboam, had come to Shechem to demand a lighter yoke of service and taxation, which Solomon had imposed. Rehoboam had initially sought counsel from the elders who had served his father, and they advised a gracious, conciliatory response to secure the people's loyalty. This verse describes Rehoboam's decisive turning point: his arrogant dismissal of this wise, seasoned advice. His choice paved the way for the permanent division of the united kingdom into two: Israel (the northern tribes) and Judah (the southern tribes). It highlights the profound impact of leadership decisions and the dangers of prioritizing short-sighted pride over long-term stability and national well-being.

2 Chronicles 10 8 Word analysis

• But he forsook: "He" refers to Rehoboam. "Forsook" (עָזַב, azav) signifies a deliberate, conscious abandonment or rejection, not merely an oversight. This indicates a willful turning away from sound judgment for reasons of personal preference or ambition.
• the counsel: (עֵצָה, etsah) refers to specific advice, a strategy, or a course of action proposed. Here, it was a carefully considered, pragmatic plan offered by seasoned advisors.
• of the old men: (זְקֵנִים, zeqenim) denotes elders, typically respected for their accumulated experience, wisdom, and understanding of the traditions and welfare of the nation. Their advice likely embodied collective, long-held prudence and an awareness of the political climate.
• which they had given him: This phrase emphasizes that the elders had indeed offered concrete, practical counsel, likely rooted in the collective memory of how to govern a nation effectively and avoid past pitfalls.
• and took counsel with: Instead of rejecting all counsel outright, Rehoboam actively sought out and accepted a different kind of counsel, demonstrating a clear preference for a specific type of validation that aligned with his pre-existing inclinations.
• the young men: (יְלָדִים, yeladim) describes his peers or companions, those of his own generation. This implies a lack of significant governing experience, often prone to impetuosity, a desire to assert dominance, or an overestimation of their own capabilities.
• that were grown up with him: This detail underscores a deep personal connection and shared upbringing. It suggests a familiarity that might lead to seeking agreeable rather than objective, wise advice, validating Rehoboam's inherent biases rather than challenging them.
• and which stood before him: This indicates their official position as his personal attendants or closest advisors within his royal court, highlighting their proximity and continuous influence over the king.

Words-group analysis

• "forsook the counsel of the old men": This phrase directly conveys Rehoboam's willful rejection of wisdom based on experience, tradition, and sound foresight. It illustrates a dangerous choice to ignore prudent and beneficial advice for the sake of asserting self-will or maintaining an image of strength.
• "took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him": This contrasts sharply with the first part, demonstrating a preference for advice that validates personal desires, pride, and an aggressive stance rather than challenging them with realistic, people-oriented solutions. The shared upbringing implies an "echo chamber" effect, where impetuousness or self-aggrandizement reinforces similar tendencies in leadership.

2 Chronicles 10 8 Bonus section

• Rehoboam's decision illustrates the principle that good leadership isn't about how much power one asserts, but how wisely and compassionately one wields it. The elders advised securing loyalty through graciousness, a strength that historically outlasts coercive power.
• This account highlights the dangers of surrounding oneself with "yes-men" or those who merely echo one's own opinions. Such an environment stifles dissent, limits perspective, and leads to poorly informed and potentially disastrous decisions.
• The narrative serves as a warning against dismissing the wisdom of prior generations or those with more experience simply due to a generational divide or a desire for novelty. True wisdom transcends age.

2 Chronicles 10 8 Commentary

This verse stands as a stark biblical warning against leadership that values immediate gratification, perceived strength, and personal validation over tested wisdom, humility, and the long-term welfare of the people. Rehoboam's abandonment of the elders' shrewd and benevolent advice, coupled with his adoption of the arrogant, power-driven counsel from his peers, reveals a profound spiritual and practical failure. His choice stemmed from pride and an inability to perceive true strength in servant leadership, mirroring common human failings when faced with difficult decisions. It serves as a timeless example of how a leader's character and the quality of their chosen advisors can irrevocably shape the destiny of an entire nation or organization. This narrative urges all individuals in positions of influence to seek diverse, experienced, and godly counsel, prioritizing humility and the welfare of others in all their deliberations, rather than merely seeking affirmation of their own desires or bolstering their own ego.