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?

2 CHRONICLES 10:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 10:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 10:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 10:9 shows King Rehoboam asking his young advisers what response he should give to the people who have asked him to lighten the heavy burdens his father, Solomon, had placed on them. Rehoboam is seeking advice on how to answer the people's request for relief from hard labor and high demands.

In this scene, Rehoboam is speaking to a group of young men who grew up with him and now serve as his counselors. The people of Israel had approached Rehoboam, asking him to "ease somewhat the yoke"—meaning to make their workload and obligations lighter than what Solomon had required. Rehoboam wants to know what his peers suggest he should say in reply, which sets up the key decision that will affect the unity of the kingdom.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 10:9

  • "Advice" (עֵצָה, etsah): This word means counsel or guidance. Rehoboam is not just asking for casual opinions but is seeking deliberate guidance on a matter that will have serious consequences.
  • "Ease" (הָקֵל, haqel): This word carries the sense of making something lighter or less severe. The people are not asking for total freedom but for some relief from the burdens imposed by Solomon.
  • "Yoke" (עֹל, ol): This term refers to a wooden harness used for oxen, but here it symbolizes the burdensome demands and forced labor placed on the people. The image is of being weighed down by heavy expectations.

Why 2 Chronicles 10:9 matters

  • This verse highlights the turning point where Rehoboam must choose between listening to the people’s plea for mercy or following harsher advice, which will have lasting effects on the kingdom.
  • The use of the word "yoke" connects the people's labor under Solomon to the idea of oppression, showing that their request is about more than just work—it is about justice and leadership style.
  • The verse sets up the contrast between the advice of the older, experienced counselors (mentioned earlier) and the younger men, which leads to the division of Israel in the following verses.