The Second Book of the Chronicles
2 Chronicles 10
Chapter X · Vol. II, pp. 855–856
1 The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam, by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him. 6 Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, by the advice of young men answereth them roughly. 16 Ten tribes revolting kill Hadoram, and make Rehoboam to flee.
1 And Rehoboama went to Shechem:1 for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.
a 1 Ki.12.1-19, with 1 Ch.3.10. Mat.1.7.
1 Why Shechem was selected for this great national assembly does not appear, but most probably from its situation between Gerizim and Ebal, where the blessings and the curses of obedience or disobedience were pronounced (De.11.29), and from the recollection of the solemn meeting and covenant before the death of Joshua (Jos.24.1-28), it had acquired and retained that sacred character which all nations come in time to attach to some particular city.—C.
2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat (who was in Egypt, bwhither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king) heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
b 1 Ki.11.40; 12.2.
3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel2 came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,
2 The heads and representatives.—C.
4 Thy cfather made our yoke grievous:4 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.
A.M. 3029. B.C. 975.
c 1 Ki.4.7,15,22; 9.22; 10.7; 12.4.
4 Of this no evidence appears; indeed the evidence is to the contrary: but Judah and Israel had never thoroughly amalgamated, and this is a mere pretence of grievance to effect their separation. C.——Solomon's rage for building had the effect of oppressing and impoverishing the people, and this created a spirit of sedition and revolt.—I.
6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with thee 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?
7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be fkind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
8 But ghe forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him,5 that stood before him.
g Ec.10.16 Is.3.4,5. Pr.13.20; 9.6,9.
5 The opinion of Calmet, that it was customary in eastern nations to associate certain fellow-students with the heirs of royalty, is by no means improbable. 1. It would be well suited to beget friendships, which, when sincere and honest, none require more than kings. 2. It would excite to emulation in study and all requisite accomplishments. 3. It would lead to the knowledge of the characters of those who might be future ministers and associates in government. The whole may be well combined in the one expressive modern phrase, school-fellows, associates upon whom, under Providence, much of character, and success or disaster, invariably depends.—C.
9 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?
10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, hThus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, iMy little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
h Pr.21.30. 2 Sa.17.7-13. Is.19.11-13.
i 1 Ki.12.10. Pr.13.16; 14.16; 15.1; 18.12.
11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.6
6 Your taxes shall be heavier, your services more burdensome, and your punishment more severe.
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
13 And the king answered them jroughly: and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men.7
j Pr.15.1; 14.16. Ec.2.18,19.
7 When one said of a certain queen, 'she was great, wise, and prosperous;' another replied, 'she certainly had the merit of having wise counsellors.' 'Ah!' replied the other, 'did you ever know a fool who had wise counsellors?' Of this pungent remark the unhappy Rehoboam is a melancholy example. He was not wise, and he had not wise counsellors.—C.
14 And answered them kafter the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I lwill add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the mcause8 was of God,9 that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the nhand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, oWhat portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.1
o 1 Ki.11.11-13,30-36; 12.16. 2 Sa.20.1. 1 Sa.22.7. Jn.6.66. Phi.3.18,19; 2.21. 2 Ti.1.15.
1 That is, all the assembled heads or representatives retired to their tents in the valley of Shechem.—C.
17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18 Then king Rehoboam sent pHadoram that was over the tribute;2 and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died: but king Rehoboam made speed3 to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
p 1 Ki.12.18, and perhaps 4.6; 5.13,14.
2 This completes the climax of Rehoboam's folly. He had neglected the advice of his father's counsellors, and the Ephraimites had renounced their allegiance on account of their burdens and taxes: and to appease them, he sends Hadoram, or Adoniram, who was over the tribute; of course, the most obnoxious man he could send.'—Boothroyd.
3 Heb. strengthened himself.
19 And Israel rebelled4 against the house of David unto this day.5
4 A few soft words, and a removal of a part of the oppressive taxes (for they said, 'Ease thou somewhat of the grievous servitude') would have secured this people to the state, and prevented the shedding of a sea of human blood, which was the consequence of the separation of this kingdom. Rehoboam was a fool; and through his folly lost his kingdom. He is not the only example on record; the Stewarts lost the realm of England much in the same way; and, by a different mode of treatment, the house of Brunswick continues to fill the British throne. May the thread of its fortune, woven by the hand of God, never be undone! and may the current of its power glide on to the latest posterity!'—Clarke.
5 i.e. till the time of Ezra.
Notes
Reflections.—The best of rulers cannot give every one content. Men are readier to complain of the expense of government than to acknowledge the benefit which they receive from it; and turbulent and ungrateful spirits will find fault where they can scarcely find the shadow of a reason. Young heads are ordinarily too hot to be wise counsellors: and many ruin their own interests by trampling on and provoking their inferiors. Moderate counsels are generally the most safe and prudent. Soft answers disarm men's passions when harsh ones render them furious: and when the affairs of church or state are in a ferment rough proceedings do but make them worse and worse. Most men need no more to ruin them than to be given up to their own pride and passion. But O the wisdom and power of God, who can fulfill his counsels by men's folly and fury! Very uncertain are all earthly enjoyments: nor can the wisest secure them to his next heir. God often visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children: but amidst all the heat of his anger he never breaks his promise.