2 Chronicles 10

Rehabeam goeth to Sichem to be made King by the people, that were there assembled, vers.1, etc. The people by means of Jerobeam request lament of their heavy burdens, 2. Rehabeam following the counsel, not of the aged, but of the young Lords, returneth a sharp answer to the people, 6. Wherefore ten Tribes revolt from him, 16. And stone Adoram his Commissioner, but himself fleeth to Jerusalem, 18.

1. And Rehabeam went to Sichem: [See Gen.12.on vers.6.] for all Israel was come to Sichem , to make him King. [The further exposition of this Chapter is to be found 1 Kings 12. Where this History is first described.]

2. Now it came to pass when Jerobeam the son of Nehat heard (that), (now the same was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the face of King Salomon:) [For fear of Salomon, who sought to kill him: perhaps because he had heard of the prophesy of Ahia, 1 Kings 11:40.] that Jerobeam returned out of Egypt: [to wit, not presently as soon as he had heard that Salomon was dead, but when he was sent for by the Israelites. See 1 Kings 12:2,3. And here the following verse.]

3. For they sent [To wit, messengers] and caused him to be called: so Jerobeam came with all Israel, and spake unto Rehabeam, saying:

4. They father made our yoke hard: [Understand this of the civil burdens; for they were sain to bring in to King Salomon his revenues, who held a very costly and sumptuous Court. See 1 Kings 4:7, etc. and especially vers.22, and 23.] now then, make thou thy fathers hard service, and his heavy yoke, that he hath laid upon us, lighter: [Hebr. Ease, or, lighten (somewhat) of thy fathers hard service, and of his heavy yoke. So below vers.9. This may also be thus translated, lessen, or, diminish of the hard service of thy father: and so in the sequel] and we will serve thee.

5. And he said unto them; Come again unto me after three days; and the people departed.

6. And Rehabeam consulted with the eldest, that had stood before the face of Salomon his Father, when he was alive, saying; How do ye advise to answer this people?

7. And they spake unto him, saying; If thou shalt be kind [Hebr. For good, or, to the good: that is, prone or inclined to goodness, kindness, and mercifulness. Compare Nehem.5.19. Psalm 86 17.] and be favourable toward them, and speak good words unto them; then will they for all days (or forever) [that is, as long as thou livest] be thy servants.

8. But he forsook the counsel of the eldest, which they had counseled him: and he advised with the young men, that were grown up with him, that stood before his face. [These young Lords must needs have been of a reasonable age, seeing Rehabeam, with whom they were grown up, was one and fourty years old, when he came to the Crown, 1 Kings 14:21. and below chap.12.13.]

9. And he said unto them; What Advice give ye, that we may answer this people, that spake unto me, saying; Make the yoke, which thy father hath laid upon us easier?

10. And the young men that were grown up with him, spake unto him, saying; Thus shalt thou say unto that people, which spake unto thee, saying; Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter upon us; thus shalt thou speak; My least (finger) shall be thicker than my fathers loins. [See the exposition 1 Kings 12.on vers.10.]

11. Now if my father hath caused a heavy yoke to be laden upon you, then will I besides your yoke yet add thereunto; my father hath chastisied you with whips; [See 1 Kings 12. On vers.11.] but (I will chastise you) [these words are here and below vers.14. inserted out of whips, that have sharp and crooked hooks, to tear and rent the flesh most cruelly in pieces, as the Scorpions with their crooked and sharp tails do give most deadly wounds. See a further exposition of these words 1 Kings 12.on vers.11.]

12. So Jerobeam, and all the people came to Rehabeam, on the third day; according as the King had spoken, saying; Come again unto me on the third day.

13. And the King answered them, [To wit, the people, that with Jerobeam were come to the King, 1 Kings 12:13.] roughly: for King Rehabeam forsook the counsel the eldest. [Namely, which they had given him, as is said, 1 Kings 12:13. and see the counsel above vers.7.]

14. And he spake to them after the advice of the young men, saying; My father made your yoke heavy, but I will yet add thereunto: my Father chastised you with whips, but I (will chastised you) with Scorpions.

15. So the King hearkened not unto the people: for this turning about was of God, [The Hebrew word Nesibbah, which we have here, is according to the opinion of some, of the same signification with Sibbah, which is used, 1 Kings 12:15. as they are both of one Root. They both signify wheeling about, going about, turning about;item, cause. Understand then by this turning about the work that here came to pass, whereby the Israelites turned themselves about from the house of David; for as much as the cause of it was in Gods just Judgement, punishing the sins of men. See the exposition hereof further, 1 Kings 12.on vers.15.] that the LORD might confirm his word, which he had spoken by the ministry [Hebr. Hand] of Ahia the Silonite, to Jerobeam the son of Nebat.

16. When all Israel [To wit, excepting the tribe of Juda, and the Israelites that resorted under it; of whom is spoken in the following verse] saw it, that the king hearkened not unto them; then the people answered the king; [the Hebrew word is likewise taken for answering, without having the word dabar added to it, Job.13.21. and 33.32. but it is found joined with it, 1 Kings 12:16.] saying; what portion have we in David? Yea (we have) no inheritance in the son of Isai: Every one man to your tents, O Israel; now O David provide for thine (own) house; so all Israel went to their tents.

17. But concerning the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Juda, Rehabeam reigned also over them.

18. Then King Rehabeam sent Hadoram [Called also Adoram, 1 Kings 12,18. Item (according to the opinion of some) Adoniram, 1 Kings 4:6.] that was over the tribute, [understand the personal tribute, or tax, whereof see 1 Kings 5:13,14. This man was sent by the King to appease the angry Israelites, and to reduce them to the obedience of the house of David] and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died: But king Rehabeam encouraged himself, to get up into a charet, that he might flee to Jerusalem.

19. So the Israelites revolted from the house of David unto this day. [That is, which revolting and treacherous dealing conitueth still even to this day, to wit, when is was written.]