2 Chronicles 10

2 Chronicles 10:1

Ch. 2 Chronicles 10:1-15 (= 1 Kings 12:1-15). The Conference at Shechem

1. Shechem] Chosen for its central position, for it is in the heart of Western Palestine.

2 Chronicles 10:2

2. Jeroboam] For his antecedents (which are not given by the Chronicler) see 1 Kings 11:26 ff. that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt] So we should read also in 1 Kings 12:2 for “and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt.” The difference in Heb. between the two readings when written without the vowels is confined to one letter.

2 Chronicles 10:4

4. ease thou somewhat … put upon us] R.V. make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter (as in 1 Kin.). The “service” complained of is described (in part) in 1 Kings 5:13-14 (no parallel in Chron.). Cp. 2 Chronicles 8:9 (= 1 Kings 9:22), note. and we will serve thee] The people claim their ancient right to a voice in the appointment of a king; cp. 1 Samuel 11:14-15 (Saul) and 2 Samuel 5:1-3 (David).

2 Chronicles 10:6

6. stood before] Cp. Deuteronomy 1:38; 1 Kings 17:1. The phrase is used to express service, whether rendered to God or to man.

2 Chronicles 10:7

7. if thou be kind to this people, and please them] The Chronicler has softened the forcible words of the parallel passage (1 Kings 12:7), “If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them.” The words which were too blunt for Rehoboam were also too blunt for the Chronicler.

2 Chronicles 10:8

8. were brought up with him] R.V. were grown up with him.

2 Chronicles 10:9

9. What advice] R.V. What counsel (as in 2 Chronicles 10:6). Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us] R.V. Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter.

2 Chronicles 10:10

10. were brought up with him] R.V. were grown up with him (as in 2 Chronicles 10:8). somewhat lighter for us] R.V. omits “somewhat”. shall be thicker] R.V. is thicker.

2 Chronicles 10:11

11. For whereas … to your yoke] R.V. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke (as 1 Kin.). with whips] A whip or flail was among the insignia of an Egyptian (and perhaps also of an Israelite) king. Cp. Erman, Ancient Egypt, Eng. Tr. p. 60 (where an illustration is given) and p. 63. with scorpions] The expression is most probably proverbial and metaphorical, but some authorities (e.g. Pesh.) take “scorpion” to be the name of a particular kind of scourge, the lash of which was provided with thorns or hooks.

2 Chronicles 10:13

13. answered them roughly] It was difficult for the son of so powerful a king as Solomon to realise that there was any necessity for a soft answer. Solomon had put down Israelite discontent by driving Jeroboam into exile in Egypt, and David had put down somewhat easily the movement under Sheba son of Bichri (2 Samuel 20:1-22). Could the good fortune of the House of David fail at this third crisis?

2 Chronicles 10:14

14. and answered them after the advice] R.V. and spake to them after the counsel (as 1 Kin.).

2 Chronicles 10:15

15. the cause was of God] R.V. it was brought about of God. might perform] R.V. might establish. Ahijah] Cp. 1 Kings 11:29-39. The incident referred to is not narrated in Chron., being assumed to be known.

2 Chronicles 10:16

16–19 (= 1 Kings 12:16-19). The Revolt 16. And we have none inheritance] R.V. neither have we inheritance. Contrast the language of the ten tribes after the collapse of Absalom’s rebellion: We have ten parts in the king (2 Samuel 19:43). to your tents] See note on 2 Chronicles 7:10. And now, David, see to thine own house] R.V. now see to thine own house, David. went] R.V. departed.

2 Chronicles 10:18

18. Hadoram] Called “Adoram” in the parallel passage (1 Kings 12:18) and “Adoniram” (1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 5:14; [28 Heb.]). over the tribute] R.V. over the levy.