The Israelites Make a Request to King Rehoboam |
2 Chronicles 10:1-19 2 Chronicles in [Smaller Chunks] |
Rehoboam, [Solomon’s] son, went to Shechem, [because] all Israel had come [there] to make him king. It [happened] when Jeroboam, [Nebat’s] son, was in Egypt, [where] he had fled from the presence of king Solomon. |
[1 Kings 11:40 Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose & fled to Egypt, to Shishak, [Egypt’s] king until the death of Solomon.] |
When [Jeroboam] heard it, he returned from Egypt & [the Israelites] sent & called for him. So, Jeroboam & all Israel came & spoke to Rehoboam, saying, Your father [Solomon] made our [work load] grievous. |
Therefore, somewhat ease our [harsh labor] of your father & the heavy [burden] he put upon us & we will serve you. [Rehoboam] said to them, Come [back] to me after 3 days, [so] the people [left.] |
King Rehoboam [got advice from] the old men [who] stood before his father, Solomon, while he [was still alive.] [Rehoboam said,] What [advice] do you give me, to answer [these] people? They said, If [you’re] kind to [these] people, please them & speak [nicely] to them, they will be your servants forever. |
[Rehoboam abandoned] the [advice] of the old men & [got advice from] the young men [who] were brought up with him & stood before him. |
[Rehoboam asked] them, What advice do you give, [so] we may answer [these] people [who] spoke to me, saying, Somewhat ease the [grievous work] your father put upon us? |
The young men [who] were brought up with him [said,] You shall answer the people [who wanted] you to make their [work] somewhat lighter than your father’s heavy [burden,] say [this] to them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s [waist.] |
[Since,] my father put a heavy [burden] on you, I will [add] more to your [work.] My father [punished] you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions. Jeroboam & all the people came to king Rehoboam, as [he requested.] |
King [Rehoboam] answered them roughly & [abandoned] the [advice] of the old men & answered them like] the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your [workload] heavy, but I will add [to it.] My father [punished] you with whips, but I will [punish] you with scorpions. |
The king [didn’t listen] to the people; for [this] was of God, [so] the Lord [could accomplish] the word He spoke by Ahijah, the Shilonite to Jeroboam, [Nebat’s] son. |
When all Israel saw that the king [wouldn’t listen] to them, [they] answered the king, saying What portion [of any inheritance] do we have left in David, [Jesse’s] son? None, every man to your tents, O Israel. Now, David [take care] of your own house. |
So, all Israel went to their tents. But Rehoboam [still ruled] over the children [people] of Israel [who lived] in the cities of Judah. Then, king Rehoboam sent Hadoram [who] was over the [forced labor] & the [people] of Israel stoned him [to death.] But king Rehoboam [speedily got] to his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. |