2 Chronicles 10:9
New International Version
He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

New Living Translation
“What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?”

English Standard Version
And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?”

Berean Standard Bible
He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

King James Bible
And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

New King James Version
And he said to them, “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

New American Standard Bible
He said to them, “What advice do you give, so that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

NASB 1995
So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

NASB 1977
So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may respond to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

Amplified Bible
He asked them, “What advice do you give to us regarding the answer to these people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

Christian Standard Bible
He asked them, “What message do you advise we send back to this people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He asked them, “What message do you advise we send back to these people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us?”

American Standard Version
And he said unto them, 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?

Contemporary English Version
He asked, "What do you think I should say to these people who asked me to make their work easier?"

English Revised Version
And he said unto them, 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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we respond to these people who are asking me to lighten the burden my father put on them?"

Good News Translation
"What do you advise me to do?" he asked. "What shall I say to the people who are asking me to make their burdens lighter?"

International Standard Version
As a result, he asked them, "What's your advice, so we can give an answer to these people who have asked me, 'Please lighten the burden that your father put on us'?"

Majority Standard Bible
He asked them, ?What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ?Lighten the yoke your father put on us???

NET Bible
He asked them, "How do you advise me to respond to these people who said to me, 'Lessen the demands your father placed on us'?"

New Heart English Bible
He said to them, "What counsel do you give, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, 'Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter?'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, What advice give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father put upon us?

World English Bible
He said to them, “What counsel do you give, that we may give an answer to these people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter?’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says to them, “What are you counseling, and we answer this people that have spoken to me, saying, Make light [some] of the yoke that your father put on us?”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith unto them, 'What are ye counselling, and we answer this people that have spoken unto me, saying, Make light somewhat of the yoke that thy father put upon us?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to them, What counsel ye? and we will turn back word to this people who spake to me, saying, Lighten from the yoke which thy father gave upon us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them: What seemeth good to you? or what shall I answer this people, who have said to me: Ease the yoke which thy father laid upon us?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “How does it seem to you? Or how should I respond to this people, who have said to me, ‘Lift up the yoke that your father imposed upon us?’ ”

New American Bible
He said to them, “What answer do you advise us to give this people, who have told me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father imposed on us’?”

New Revised Standard Version
He said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to them, What advice do you give me that we may return answer to this people who have spoken to me, saying, Lighten the yoke which your father did put upon us, and we will serve you?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to them: “What answer do you advise to return to this people who spoke with me, and they were saying to me: ”Take away from us the oppression with which your father oppressed us and we will work for you?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto them: '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?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to them, What do ye advise that I should answer this people, who spoke to me, saying, Ease somewhat of the yoke which thy father laid upon us?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebellion Against Rehoboam
8But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. 9He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?” 10The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you should make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!…

Cross References
1 Kings 12:6-11
Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. / They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” / But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. ...

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 24:6
Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

Ecclesiastes 4:13
Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.

Job 12:12
Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Jeremiah 23:18
But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it?

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...

Mark 10:42-45
So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ...

Luke 22:25-27
So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

1 Corinthians 1:19-20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, What advice give you that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that your father did put on us?

What advice

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?

2 Samuel 17:5,6
Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith…

1 Kings 22:6-8
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king…

Ease

2 Chronicles 10:4
Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.

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Advice Advise Counsel Counselling Ease Less Lighter Opinion Somewhat Yoke
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Advice Advise Counsel Counselling Ease Less Lighter Opinion Somewhat Yoke
2 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 flee














He asked them
Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, is seeking counsel from his advisors. This reflects a common practice among ancient Near Eastern kings who often relied on a council of elders or advisors for decision-making. The act of seeking advice indicates a moment of potential humility or uncertainty in leadership, contrasting with the wisdom of his father, Solomon, who was known for his discernment.

“What message do you advise
Rehoboam is inquiring about the best course of action in response to the people's request. This highlights the importance of communication and the power of words in leadership. The phrasing suggests a deliberative process, yet it also foreshadows the potential for poor judgment, as the advice he ultimately follows leads to division.

that we send back to these people
The "people" refers to the Israelites, particularly those from the northern tribes. This moment is pivotal as it addresses the growing discontent among the tribes, which had been simmering under Solomon's heavy taxation and labor demands. The phrase underscores the collective nature of the request and the expectation of a response from the king.

who have spoken to me, saying,
The people have directly addressed Rehoboam, indicating a formal petition. This reflects the cultural and historical context where subjects could appeal to their king for redress. It also shows the people's desire for a change in policy, emphasizing their agency and the seriousness of their grievances.

‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”
The "yoke" symbolizes the burdensome policies of Solomon, including forced labor and heavy taxation, which were used to support his extensive building projects and lavish lifestyle. This request for relief is a critical moment that tests Rehoboam's leadership. The imagery of the yoke is significant throughout Scripture, often representing oppression or servitude, and contrasts with Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:29-30 to take on His easy yoke. This request for a lighter burden foreshadows the eventual division of the kingdom, as Rehoboam's response will determine the unity or fracture of Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rehoboam
The son of Solomon and the king of Israel at this time. He is seeking counsel on how to respond to the people's request for lighter burdens.

2. The Elders
Older advisors who had served Solomon, Rehoboam's father. They represent wisdom and experience in leadership.

3. The Young Men
Rehoboam's contemporaries who grew up with him. They offer a contrasting perspective to the elders.

4. Israelites
The people of Israel who are requesting relief from the heavy burdens imposed by Solomon.

5. Shechem
The place where Rehoboam went to be made king, and where this consultation takes place.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Wise Counsel
Rehoboam's account underscores the necessity of seeking and heeding wise, experienced counsel, especially in leadership roles.

Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom
Ignoring the advice of the elders led to the division of the kingdom, illustrating the potential consequences of poor decision-making.

The Role of Humility in Leadership
Rehoboam's failure to humble himself and serve the people resulted in rebellion. True leadership often requires humility and a servant's heart.

Generational Perspectives
The differing advice from the elders and young men highlights the value of considering multiple generational perspectives in decision-making.

Burden and Rest
The people's request for a lighter yoke can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual rest and freedom offered by Christ.(9) And he said unto them.--The verse agrees with Kings to the letter.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He asked
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
אֲלֵהֶ֗ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“What
מָ֚ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

message
דָּבָ֖ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

do you
אַתֶּ֣ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

advise
נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים (nō·w·‘ā·ṣîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

that we send back
וְנָשִׁ֥יב (wə·nā·šîḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to these
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

have spoken
דִּבְּר֤וּ (dib·bə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to me,
אֵלַי֙ (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Lighten
הָקֵל֙ (hā·qêl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling

the yoke
הָעֹ֔ל (hā·‘ōl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5923: A yoke

your father
אָבִ֖יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

put
נָתַ֥ן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

on us’?”
עָלֵֽינוּ׃ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 10:9 He said to them What counsel give (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 10:8
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