2 Chronicles 10

The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingdom of Judah until its destruction by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar and the beginning of restoration under Cyrus the Great of Persia (2 Chronicles 10 to 36). The focus of this chapter is the kingdom of Israel's division in the beginning of Rehoboam's reign.

2 Chronicles 10
← chapter 9 chapter 11 →
The complete Hebrew text of the Books of Chronicles (1st and 2nd Chronicles) in the Leningrad Codex (1008 CE).
Book	Books of Chronicles
Category	Ketuvim
Christian Bible part	Old Testament
Order in the Christian part	14

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language and is divided into 19 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$ ^B; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$ ^A; 5th century).

Old Testament references

• 2 Chronicles 10:1–15: 1 Kings 12:1–15
• 2 Chronicles 10:16–19: 1 Kings 12:16–19

The whole passage (until verse 19) parallels 1 Kings 12:1–19 with only a few verbal alterations. After inheriting the throne from his father, Rehoboam went to Shechem to be confirmed as king. The northern tribes of Israel called Jeroboam (who fled to Egypt for fear of Solomon) to lead them in requesting a relaxation of financial burden applied by Solomon. Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, but following the advice of young men, replied to them roughly, so ten tribes (not including Judah and Benjamin) revolted and established the northern kingdom, killed Hadoram, Rehoboam's officer, and forced Rehoboam to flee to Jerusalem (verse 18).

Verse 1

And Rehoboam went to Shechem for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.

• "Shechem" (also written as Sichem, Sychem or Sychar in John 4:5, 20): a historic town in the history of Israel (Genesis 12:6; Genesis 33:18, 19; Genesis 34; Genesis 35:1-4; Genesis 37:12, 28; Genesis 43:22; Genesis 49:5-7; Deuteronomy 27:11; Joshua 8:30-35; 17:7; 20:7; 21:21; 24:1-28; 1 Kings 12:1-17; 1 Chronicles 6:52; 7:28), located in the hill country of the tribe of Ephraim between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim.

Jacob's well is located about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south-east of it, and Joseph's tomb is 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east (Joshua 24:32).

The kingdom's division is presented in the Chronicles as God's will, in accordance with interpretation of 1 Kings, although some facts about Solomon's falling away and Jeroboam's background (explained in the 1 Kings 11) are not reported. The war with Jeroboam was only a side issue in this chapter and is elaborated in chapter 13 (cf. 1 Kings 12).

Verse 18

Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

• "Hadoram": In the parallel verse 1 Kings 12:18 this name appears as "Adoram" (following Masoretic Text) or "Adoniram" (according to the Old Greek translation and Syriac Peshitta; cf. 1 Kings 4:6).