2 Chronicles 10 9

2 Chronicles 10:9 kjv

And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

2 Chronicles 10:9 nkjv

And he said to them, "What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, 'Lighten the yoke which your father put on us'?"

2 Chronicles 10:9 niv

He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?"

2 Chronicles 10:9 esv

And he said to them, "What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, 'Lighten the yoke that your father put on us'?"

2 Chronicles 10:9 nlt

"What is your advice?" he asked them. "How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?"

2 Chronicles 10 verses

2 Chronicles 10 9 Meaning

This verse describes King Rehoboam's action after the Israelite assembly requests a lighter burden from the heavy yoke imposed by his father Solomon. He is depicted as consulting his advisors, specifically asking them for the best counsel to respond to the people's plea: "Lighten our yoke from us." This moment is pivotal, setting the stage for his subsequent decision which led to the division of the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 10 9 Context

2 Chronicles 10 opens immediately following the reign of King Solomon, marked by his unparalleled wealth and wisdom, but also by burdensome taxes and forced labor (corvée) for his extensive building projects (e.g., the Temple, his palace, various cities). Upon Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam traveled to Shechem to be crowned king over all Israel, indicating the necessity of securing the northern tribes' allegiance. The people, led by Jeroboam (who had been an overseer of forced labor under Solomon and received a prophecy of kingship from Ahijah the prophet), confront Rehoboam. Their central demand, stated in 2 Chr 10:4, is for the new king to lighten the heavy burden that Solomon imposed.

Before this verse, Rehoboam had already consulted with the "old men who had stood before Solomon his father," receiving their wise and conciliatory advice to serve the people kindly to secure their lasting loyalty (2 Chr 10:6-7). However, Rehoboam rejected this seasoned counsel (2 Chr 10:8) and instead turned to the "young men who had grown up with him and stood before him." Verse 9 then directly records Rehoboam's inquiry to these younger, less experienced companions about how to respond to the people's urgent request, thus setting the stage for their arrogant and ultimately kingdom-dividing counsel. This entire scenario is divinely orchestrated, as stated in 2 Chr 10:15, as judgment for Solomon's apostasy.

2 Chronicles 10 9 Word analysis

• And he said to them:
  • "he": Refers to Rehoboam, Solomon's son and successor. The narrative implicitly highlights his direct, personal responsibility in this crucial decision-making moment.
  • "to them": Specifically refers to "the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him" (2 Chr 10:8). These were his contemporaries, suggesting a lack of diverse, experienced counsel, unlike the older advisors. This choice of advisors reveals Rehoboam's disposition to favor like-minded, potentially less experienced, counsel.
• What counsel do you give:
  • This is Rehoboam seeking advice. The question itself isn't problematic, as seeking counsel is often a mark of wisdom (Prov 11:14; 15:22). However, his prior rejection of the counsel of the elders (2 Chr 10:8) demonstrates a flawed process, valuing personal affinity over objective wisdom. The Hebrew verb for "give counsel" (יָעַץ, ya'ats) implies a deliberative, intentional act of providing guidance.
• that we may answer this people:
  • "we may answer": Rehoboam frames the issue as a strategic response to a public demand. He is looking for a political answer to appease or control the situation, not necessarily for a solution rooted in justice or compassion. The collective "we" might include himself and his chosen advisors, underscoring the unity of their prospective response.
  • "this people": Refers to the assembled Israelites, particularly the northern tribes, who were expressing their grievances and demands before accepting his reign. This collective voice represents the entire nation's grievances and expectations from their king.
• who have spoken to me:
  • Highlights the direct nature of the people's appeal to Rehoboam, underscoring the immediacy and urgency of their request for relief. They had come personally, expecting a just resolution from their new sovereign.
• saying, "Lighten our yoke from us"?':
  • "Lighten": Hebrew: הָקֵ֣ל (haqel), derived from קָלַל (qalal), meaning "to be light," "to treat lightly," or "to lighten." It signifies a demand for reduction, relief, or ease from burden. It points to a desire for alleviation of physical and economic oppression.
  • "our yoke": Hebrew: מֵעָלֵ֔ינוּ ('āl), referring to the wooden beam placed over the necks of draught animals or laborers for bearing heavy loads. Figuratively, it denotes oppressive service, harsh labor, or severe taxation. Under Solomon, extensive building projects likely led to heavy burdens on the populace, possibly through increased corvée labor or taxation to fund the court and construction. This metaphor of a "yoke" powerfully connects their current suffering to ancient servitude (Exod 1:11, "heavy burdens") and the oppressive practices that had developed in the monarchy, directly contrasting with divine ideals for righteous rule.
  • "from us": Emphasizes the personal and direct impact of the burdens on the people themselves. It underscores their felt experience of suffering and their plea for personal relief. The people did not simply want an abstract reduction in state burdens, but relief "from us", their individual and communal experience of hardship.

2 Chronicles 10 9 Bonus section

• Contrast in Leadership Style: This verse sets up a dramatic contrast between a humble, empathetic leader (represented by the older counselors' advice to serve the people) and an autocratic, dominant leader (Rehoboam's preferred style and the younger counselors' advice). It underscores a foundational principle of biblical leadership: true authority comes from service and wisdom, not just inherited position or harsh enforcement.
• Echoes of Egyptian Slavery: The use of "yoke" strongly resonates with Israel's historical memory of slavery in Egypt (Exod 1:11), where Pharaoh "burdened" them. This implies the people viewed Solomon's rule, despite its glory, as leaning towards the oppressive pattern of ancient Near Eastern despots rather than the just rule prescribed for an Israelite king (Deut 17:14-20).
• Consequences of Arrogance: The entire narrative pivot, hinging on Rehoboam's choice of counsel in this verse, serves as a powerful cautionary tale against arrogance, pride, and the dismissal of wise, experienced advice in favor of flattering or self-serving counsel. It demonstrates how such leadership can directly lead to rebellion and ruin.

2 Chronicles 10 9 Commentary

2 Chronicles 10:9 marks a critical turning point in the unified kingdom of Israel. Rehoboam, facing the initial challenge of his reign from a unified populace demanding relief from heavy taxation and forced labor, reaches a fork in the road of counsel. By turning to his younger, less experienced peers for advice, after having disregarded the wisdom of his father's seasoned counselors, he demonstrates a grave flaw in judgment and leadership. The "yoke" here is a potent symbol of the burdens imposed by the monarchy under Solomon, embodying the very real socio-economic distress felt by the people. This verse reveals Rehoboam's concern with how to answer the people rather than an empathetic consideration of their plight. His quest for counsel from those who mirrored his youthful inexperience and desire for absolute power would predictably lead to a response that prioritizes dominance over service, ultimately precipitating the tragic division of Israel and the fulfillment of God's prior judgment against Solomon's line. This situation highlights the perils of selecting advisors based on personal affinity rather than proven wisdom, especially when faced with pressing societal concerns.