So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

2 CHRONICLES 10:15KJV
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2 Chronicles 10:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 10:15 mean?

2 Chronicles 10:15 explains that the king did not listen to the people's request because God had a purpose in allowing this outcome. The verse says that this was so the LORD could fulfill the message He had previously spoken through the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam.

The setting is the early days of King Rehoboam's reign over Israel. The people had asked Rehoboam to lighten the harsh labor demands his father Solomon had placed on them. Rehoboam rejected their plea, and this decision led to the division of the kingdom. The verse points out that this turn of events was not just a political mistake but was part of God's plan, as spoken earlier by the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam, who would become king over the northern tribes.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 10:15

  • "hearkened" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen or pay attention. The verse emphasizes that Rehoboam did not just fail to hear but actively chose not to respond to the people's request.
  • "cause" (סִבָּה, sibbah): This word means a reason or turning, often understood as something that brings about a change. Here, it highlights that the situation was not random but had a divine reason behind it.
  • "perform" (קוּם, qum): This word means to establish or carry out. The verse uses it to show that God was actively bringing about what He had promised through His word.
  • "word" (דָּבָר, davar): This means a spoken message or command. The verse points to a specific prophecy given earlier, showing that God's word is reliable and comes to pass.

Why 2 Chronicles 10:15 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the split of Israel into two kingdoms was not just a result of human stubbornness or poor leadership, but was ultimately guided by God's purpose and promise.
  • It connects the events in Rehoboam's reign directly to earlier prophecies, showing how God’s plans unfold over time, even through difficult or unexpected circumstances.
  • The verse helps readers see that sometimes events that seem like political or personal failures are actually part of a larger story that God is working out, as revealed through His prophets.