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.

Where else these words appear

“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 10:4 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.
  • 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.

“advice” Hebrew H3289 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Chronicles 25:16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
  • Isaiah 3:3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.

“Ease” Hebrew H7043 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 8:8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
  • 2 Samuel 16:7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
  • Psalms 109:28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.