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.

2 CHRONICLES 10:4KJV
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2 Chronicles 10:4 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 10:4 mean?

2 Chronicles 10:4 records the people of Israel asking King Rehoboam to lighten the harsh labor and heavy burdens that his father, King Solomon, had placed on them, promising loyalty in return if he does so. The verse shows the people's desire for relief from difficult conditions and their willingness to serve a kinder ruler.

In this scene, representatives of Israel are speaking to Rehoboam just after Solomon’s death, during the transition of royal power. They refer to the "grievous yoke" and "heavy servitude" imposed by Solomon, meaning forced labor and high demands. The people are negotiating, hoping the new king will be more compassionate and ease their hardships.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 10:4

  • יָד (yoke, עֹל — ʿol): This word means a wooden bar placed on the necks of animals or people to pull a load. Here, it represents the burdensome demands and forced labor under Solomon’s rule.
  • קָשֶׁה (grievous, קָשֶׁה — qāšeh): This word means "hard" or "severe." The people describe their treatment as not just difficult but harsh and oppressive.
  • הָקֵל (ease, קָלַל — qālal): This word means "to make light" or "to lessen." The people are not asking for total freedom, but for the king to reduce the severity of their burdens.
  • עֲבֹדָה (servitude, עֲבֹדָה — ʿăvōdāh): This word refers to labor or service, often forced. The complaint is about the demanding work required by the king.

Why 2 Chronicles 10:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Solomon’s reign, while prosperous, was also marked by heavy demands on the people, which is sometimes overlooked in summaries of his rule.
  • The request for relief sets up the key turning point in Israel’s history, as Rehoboam’s response will lead to the division of the kingdom.
  • The language of negotiation and willingness to serve highlights that the people were not rebelling outright, but seeking fair treatment from their new king.

Where else these words appear

“grievous” Hebrew H7185 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
  • 1 Samuel 5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.
  • Nehemiah 9:29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments,(which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

“yoke” Hebrew H5923 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:9 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?
  • Jeremiah 27:11 But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.

“grievous” Hebrew H7186 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 42:7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
  • Deuteronomy 26:6 And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
  • 2 Chronicles 10:13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,

“heavy” Hebrew H3515 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • 1 Kings 12:11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.