New International VersionThe king answered them harshly. Rejecting the advice of the elders,
New Living TranslationBut Rehoboam spoke harshly to them, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors
English Standard VersionAnd the king answered them harshly; and forsaking the counsel of the old men,
Berean Standard BibleAnd the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders
King James BibleAnd the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
New King James VersionThen the king answered them roughly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders,
New American Standard BibleThe king answered them harshly, and King Rehoboam ignored the advice of the elders.
NASB 1995The king answered them harshly, and King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the elders.
NASB 1977And the king answered them harshly, and King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the elders.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd the king answered them harshly, and King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the elders,
Amplified BibleThe king answered them harshly, for King Rehoboam rejected the counsel of the elders.
Christian Standard BibleThen the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the elders’ advice
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the elders’ advice
American Standard VersionAnd the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
Contemporary English VersionRehoboam ignored the advice of the older advisors. He spoke bluntly
English Revised VersionAnd the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe king answered them harshly. He ignored the older leaders' advice.
Good News TranslationThe king ignored the advice of the older men and spoke harshly to the people,
International Standard VersionBut the king answered them strictly and ignored the counsel of his elders.
NET BibleThe king responded to the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the older men
New Heart English BibleThe king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd the king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders
World English BibleThe king answered them roughly; and King Rehoboam abandoned the counsel of the old men, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the king answers them sharply, and King Rehoboam forsakes the counsel of the aged men,
Young's Literal Translation And the king answereth them sharply, and king Rehoboam forsaketh the counsel of the aged men,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the king will answer them hard; and king Rehoboam will forsake the counsel of the old men. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king answered roughly, leaving the counsel of the ancients.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd the king responded harshly, abandoning the counsel of the elders.
New American BibleIgnoring the advice the elders had given him, King Rehoboam gave the people a harsh answer.
New Revised Standard VersionThe king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the king answered them with harsh words; and King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the King answered them with the hard words and King Rekhabaam abandoned the counsel of the Elders which they had advised him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the king answered harshly; and king Roboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Rebellion Against Rehoboam… 12After three days, Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, since the king had said, “Come back to me on the third day.” 13And the kinganswered themharshly.KingRehoboamrejectedthe adviceof the elders14and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”…
Cross References 1 Kings 12:13-15And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders / and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.” / So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.
Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 29:1A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
1 Samuel 8:7-9And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. / Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. / Now listen to their voice; but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.”
1 Samuel 12:13-15Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you. / If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. / But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers.
1 Kings 3:9Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
1 Kings 11:11-13Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. / Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. / Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”
1 Kings 11:31-35and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. / But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. / For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did. ...
1 Kings 14:7-8Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel. / I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes.
Isaiah 3:4-5“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” / The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.
Isaiah 9:16For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.
Jeremiah 6:10To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.
Matthew 7:26-27But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”
Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
Luke 19:41-44As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...
Treasury of Scripture And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, answered Genesis 42:7,30 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food… Exodus 10:28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for inthat day thou seest my face thou shalt die. 1 Samuel 25:10,11 And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Whois David? and whois the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master… forsook 2 Chronicles 10:8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instructionthat causeth to err from the words of knowledge. Jump to Previous AdviceAgedAttentionCounselEldersForsakethForsakingForsookHarshlyRehoboamRejectingRoughRoughlySharplySuggestionJump to Next AdviceAgedAttentionCounselEldersForsakethForsakingForsookHarshlyRehoboamRejectingRoughRoughlySharplySuggestion2 Chronicles 10 1.The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam,3.by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him,6.Rehoboam, refusing the old mens' counsel, answers them roughly,16.Ten tribes revolting, kill Hadoram, and make Rehoboam fleeAnd the king answered them harshly.This phrase highlights King Rehoboam's response to the Israelites' request for lighter burdens. His harsh answer reflects a lack of wisdom and understanding, contrasting with the gentle and wise approach of his grandfather, King David. The harshness can be seen as a failure to heed the biblical principle found in Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Rehoboam's response led to the division of the kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jeroboam by the prophet Ahijah ( 1 Kings 11:29-31). This moment marks a significant turning point in Israel's history, as the united monarchy established under David and Solomon is fractured. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders.
Rehoboam's rejection of the elders' counsel is a pivotal decision that demonstrates his immaturity and pride. The elders, who had served his father Solomon, likely offered advice based on years of experience and understanding of the people's needs. Their counsel to lighten the people's burdens was rooted in wisdom and compassion, aligning with the biblical principle of servant leadership exemplified by Jesus Christ, who said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). Rehoboam's choice to ignore their advice in favor of the younger advisors' counsel reveals a preference for power and control over empathy and service, leading to disastrous consequences for the kingdom. This decision underscores the importance of seeking and valuing wise counsel, a theme echoed throughout the Proverbs, which Solomon himself authored. Persons / Places / Events 1. RehoboamThe son of Solomon and the king of Israel at this time. His decision-making in this chapter leads to the division of the kingdom. 2. EldersThe older advisors who served Solomon and offered wise counsel to Rehoboam, advising him to serve the people and speak kindly to them. 3. IsraelitesThe people of Israel who approached Rehoboam seeking relief from the heavy burdens imposed by Solomon. 4. ShechemThe place where Rehoboam went to be made king, and where the people of Israel gathered to make their request. 5. JeroboamA former official under Solomon who becomes a leader of the northern tribes after Rehoboam's harsh response. Teaching Points The Importance of Wise CounselRehoboam's rejection of the elders' advice demonstrates the consequences of ignoring wise and experienced counsel. In our lives, seeking and heeding godly advice can prevent unnecessary conflict and division. The Power of WordsRehoboam's harsh words led to the fracturing of a nation. Our words have the power to build up or tear down, and we should strive to speak with kindness and wisdom. Leadership and ServanthoodThe elders advised Rehoboam to serve the people, highlighting a biblical model of leadership that prioritizes servanthood over authoritarianism. Leaders in any capacity should consider how they can serve those they lead. Consequences of PrideRehoboam's decision was influenced by pride and a desire to assert his authority. Pride can blind us to wise counsel and lead to destructive decisions. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite Rehoboam's poor decision, God's sovereign plan was at work, fulfilling the prophecy given to Jeroboam. This reminds us that God can work through even our mistakes to accomplish His purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 10:13?
2.How does Rehoboam's harsh response in 2 Chronicles 10:13 reflect poor leadership?
3.What lessons can we learn about seeking wise counsel from 2 Chronicles 10:13?
4.How does Rehoboam's decision connect with Proverbs 15:1 about gentle answers?
5.In what ways can we apply Rehoboam's mistake to modern leadership roles?
6.How does 2 Chronicles 10:13 illustrate the consequences of ignoring godly advice?
7.Why did Rehoboam reject the elders' advice in 2 Chronicles 10:13?
8.How does 2 Chronicles 10:13 reflect leadership challenges in biblical times?
9.What does Rehoboam's response in 2 Chronicles 10:13 reveal about human nature?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 10?
11.(2 Chronicles 10) Why do some details in this chapter differ from or omit parts of the parallel account in 1 Kings 12?
12.(2 Chronicles 10:6-8) Why would Rehoboam ignore experienced elders' counsel, despite the text indicating he had access to wisdom?
13.In 1 Kings 15:2, why does Abijam's mother appear as 'Maachah,' while 2 Chronicles 13:2 identifies her differently?
14.Esther 10:2 - Why aren't the 'book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia' referenced by other sources if it so prominently features Mordecai?What Does 2 Chronicles 10:13 Mean And the king answered them harshly• The moment Rehoboam opened his mouth, the tone was set: “And the king answered them harshly” (2 Chronicles 10:13). • A harsh reply is the opposite of God’s wisdom—“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). • Rehoboam’s rough speech instantly widened the gap between ruler and people, revealing a heart out of step with the servant-leadership modeled by David (2 Samuel 5:2) and ultimately by Christ (Matthew 20:25-28). • The same event is recorded in1 Kings 12:13, underscoring how pivotal this failure of speech became in Israel’s history. • Practical takeaway: – Harsh words ignite rebellion. – True authority expresses itself through humble, measured speech (Proverbs 16:21;Colossians 4:6).
King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders• The Spirit notes, “King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders” (2 Chronicles 10:13b), highlighting a deliberate choice. • Earlier, the elders counseled, “If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever” (2 Chronicles 10:7). • Rehoboam discarded seasoned counsel in favor of the brash advice of his peers (2 Chronicles 10:8-11), illustratingProverbs 11:14—“Where there is no guidance, a people falls.” • The pattern of rejecting wise counsel echoes Israel’s tragic cycles (Isaiah 30:1;Jeremiah 7:24). • For leaders and followers alike: – Seek counsel from those who fear the Lord (Proverbs 1:7; 27:9). – Measure every plan against God’s revealed Word (Deuteronomy 17:18-20;Psalm 19:7-8).
summaryRehoboam’s harsh answer and rejection of wise counsel show how a single moment of pride can fracture a kingdom. Scripture warns that leaders who ignore godly advice and speak without grace court disaster, while those who heed wisdom and answer gently foster unity and blessing. (13) Them.--Kings, "the people." Roughly.--Hardly. King Rehoboam.--Not in Kings, which adds, "that they counselled him." Verse 13. - Roughly; i.e. Rehoboam had not "heard the instruction of a father," and had been an ill pupil indeed of him who wrote and taught, "A soft answer tumeth away wrath" ( Proverbs 15:1).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew And the kingהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kinganswered themוַיַּעֲנֵ֥ם(way·ya·‘ă·nêm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6030:To answer, respondharshly.קָשָׁ֑ה(qā·šāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7186:Hard, severeKingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingRehoboamרְחַבְעָ֔ם(rə·ḥaḇ·‘ām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7346:Rehoboam -- 'a people are enlarged', a king of Judahrejectedוַֽיַּעֲזֹב֙(way·ya·‘ă·zōḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5800:To loosen, relinquish, permitthe adviceעֲצַ֥ת(‘ă·ṣaṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6098:Advice, plan, prudenceof the eldersהַזְּקֵנִֽים׃(haz·zə·qê·nîm)Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2205:Old
Links 2 Chronicles 10:13 NIV2 Chronicles 10:13 NLT2 Chronicles 10:13 ESV2 Chronicles 10:13 NASB2 Chronicles 10:13 KJV
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OT History: 2 Chronicles 10:13 The king answered them roughly (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
