2 Chronicles 10 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Chronicles 10 Short Summary:

Rehoboam’s first move as Israel and Judah’s new king severed the nation. He heeded the advice of his peers rather than the sage advisors of his father. This resulted in the nation of Israel breaking away and appointing Jeroboam as their king. But Jeroboam was not the king Israel needed. He disobeyed the Lord by creating two golden calves in Bethel and Dan to divert the people from worshipping in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 10 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• Solomon, who died in the last chapter, was king over Israel and Judah for 40 years, from approximately 1015-975 B.C.

• Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, became king in his father’s place in 975 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Rehoboam – The son of Solomon and the 4th king of Israel and Judah.

• Old and Young Advisors – When Rehoboam needed advice to run the country, he asked council of the old wise advisors who served his father and then from his younger peers.  

• Jeroboam – He is briefly mentioned in 2 Chronicles 10. An Ephraimite who was originally a servant of Solomon. God selected him to be king over the new nation of people that would form after the rebellion against Rehoboam.

WHERE:

• Rehoboam was made king in Shechem.

• The capital of his kingdom was Jerusalem.

OUTLINE:

• JUDAH AND ISRAEL SPLIT, THE BEGINNING OF THE DIVIDED KINGDOM (10:1-19):

  • The people of the nation gathered in Shechem for Rehoboam’s coronation.

  • They had a request of their new king. Solomon had asked a lot of the people (taxes, labor, etc.), and the people wanted Rehoboam to lighten their burden.

  • Rehoboam asked for 3 days to speak with his advisors.

  • First, he consulted the old advisors, those who served Solomon, and they counselled him to give the people what they asked for.

  • Afterwards, he consulted his peers, the young men who grew up with him. They told him to threaten the people and warn them their lives could get even harder under his leadership.

  • When the people returned to Rehoboam on the third day, Rehoboam heeded the advice of the young men and threatened the people.

  • When the men of Israel heard his answer, they were so mad, they split the kingdom, rejecting Rehoboam’s rule over them, and leaving him to govern only the tribe of Judah.

  • The men of Israel later stoned Rehoboam’s task master to death and renounced any loyalty to the house of David.
    

APPLICATION:

• Rehoboam positioned himself as a task master, not a leader.

• Great leaders do not overburden their people, and they look out for the best interest of those they lead.

• There is no better example of this than Jesus. He burdened Himself with the care of His subordinates.   

• We should replicate this example of leadership in our homes, our jobs, and in the Church.