2 Chronicles 10:11

For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) For whereas . . .—Literally, And now, my father . . . and I, I will add to your yoke.

Whips . . . scorpions.—The whips . . . the scorpions.

I will chastise you.—These words are found in the text of Kings, both here and in 2Chronicles 10:14.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:1-19 The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam. - Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things. No more needs to be done to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Thus, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his own work by all, and fulfilling the word which he has spoken. No man can bequeath his prosperity to his heirs any more than his wisdom; though our children will generally be affected by our conduct, whether good or bad. Let us then seek those good things which will be our own for ever; and crave the blessing of God upon our posterity, in preference to wealth or worldly exaltation.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The narrative of Kings (marginal reference) is repeated with only slight verbal differences.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

7. If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them—In the Book of Kings [1Ki 12:7], the words are, "If thou wilt be a servant unto this people, and wilt serve them." The meaning in both is the same, namely, If thou wilt make some reasonable concessions, redress their grievances, and restore their abridged liberties, thou wilt secure their strong and lasting attachment to thy person and government.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

See Introduction to Chapter 9

Geneva Study Bible

For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. For whereas … to your yoke] R.V. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke (as 1 Kin.).

with whips] A whip or flail was among the insignia of an Egyptian (and perhaps also of an Israelite) king. Cp. Erman, Ancient Egypt, Eng. Tr. p. 60 (where an illustration is given) and p. 63.

with scorpions] The expression is most probably proverbial and metaphorical, but some authorities (e.g. Pesh.) take “scorpion” to be the name of a particular kind of scourge, the lash of which was provided with thorns or hooks.

2 Chronicles 10:11

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

This event is narrated in our chapter, except in so far as a few unessential differences in form are concerned, exactly as we have it in 1 Kings 12:1-19; so that we may refer for the exposition of it to the commentary on 1 Kings 12, where we have both treated the contents of this chapter, and have also discussed the deeper and more latent causes of this event, so important in its consequences.