Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 10:6
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye [me] to return answer to this people?
6. stood before ] Cp. Deu 1:38; 1Ki 17:1. The phrase is used to express service, whether rendered to God or to man.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
[See comments on 1Ki 12:6].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(6) Before Solomon.Liphn Shlomoh the common formula for eth-pn Shlomoh (Kings).
To return answer to . . .Literally, to return to this people a word; Kings, to return this people a word (double accusative)a construction preserved in 2Ch. 10:9 below.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 10:6-11
2Ch 10:6-11
REHOBOAM SEEKS ADVICE OF TWO GROUPS –
THE OLD COUNSELORS; AND HIS OWN CONTEMPORARIES
“And king Rehoboam took counsel from the old men, that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye to me to return answer to this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that had grown up with him, and stood before him. And what counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thou shalt say unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”
“The young men that had grown up with him” (2Ch 10:8). This whole chapter is virtually identical with 1Ki 12:1-20; and in both accounts, mention is made of Rehoboam’s associates, referring to them in these words. This is the only hint in the Bible that Solomon had any other sons besides Rehoboam. Evidently these were other children brought up in Solomon’s godless harem.
E.M. Zerr:
2Ch 10:6-7. The corresponding passage in 1Ki 12:7 suggested that Rehoboam “serve” the people. That did not mean that the king was to “divide his authority” with the people, as some persons often teach, but that he would serve the best interests of his people by ruling wisely. The same thought is expressed with different words in the present passage. Rehoboam could have taken the advice of the older men without surrendering one mite of his rightful authority.
2Ch 10:8-9. The influence of association is indicated by the words that were brought up with, him. Many times a boy’s “pals” have more influence over him than do older people, or even his parents. How true are the words of Paul in 1Co 15:33.
2Ch 10:10-11. These young men had the erroneous idea that threatened severity could take the place of wise directions in regulating a people. They failed to realize that one of the surest ways of acquiring obedience from a subject is to assure him that his best interests will be considered in all government over him. The severe expressions suggested were figurative, of course, and used for comparison only.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
took counsel: Job 12:12, Job 12:13, Job 32:7, Pro 12:15, Pro 19:20, Pro 27:10, Jer 42:2-5, Jer 42:20
What counsel: 2Sa 16:20, 2Sa 17:5, 2Sa 17:6
Reciprocal: 2Sa 20:1 – We have 1Ki 12:7 – If thou wilt 2Ch 10:9 – What advice