1 Chronicles 10
2 Chronicles 10 records the decisive events that led to Israel splitting into the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. After King Solomon dies, his son Rehoboam gathers at Shechem to take his place on the throne. The people ask Rehoboam to lighten his father's harsh yoke, and he decides what to do after hearing advice from the elders and from younger officials. In the process, you can see both the recurring difficulties of royal succession, the people’s desires, and the mystery of God’s plan at the same time.
1verseNow the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.
2verseThe Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
3verseThe battle went hard against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was distressed by reason of the archers.
4verseThen Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me.” But his armor bearer would not, for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it.
5verseWhen his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword and died.
6verseSo Saul died with his three sons; and all his house died together.
7verseWhen all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them.
8verseOn the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
9verseThey stripped him and took his head and his armor, then sent into the land of the Philistines all around to carry the news to their idols and to the people.
10verseThey put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.
11verseWhen all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
12verseall the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
13verseSo Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the LORD’s word, which he didn’t keep, and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire,
14verseand didn’t inquire of the LORD. Therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
The Flow of Major Events
- The people’s request: The entire kingdom of Israel gathers at Shechem and begs Rehoboam to lighten his father Solomon’s forced labor and heavy yoke.
- Rehoboam’s decision: Rehoboam first listens to the advice of the older men, who urge him to treat the people kindly. But the younger officials encourage him to be even harsher.
- The outcome of the decision: Rehoboam follows the advice of the young men, and the people rebel—so that most of the ten tribes set Jeroboam as king, and the kingdom splits.
Historical Meaning and Structure
This chapter addresses the causes of the split of Israel’s united kingdom. The Bible does not present it as merely a political mistake; it suggests that the problems accumulated since the time of Solomon and Rehoboam’s decision occurred within God’s will (see 1 Kings 12 for a parallel passage). It shows this as a historical moment in which human choices and divine providence work together.
Points for Reflection
- You can consider how you should respond to leadership and the community’s demands.
- When listening to advice, you are prompted to think again about the need to pay close attention to the words of wise and experienced people.
- You can also reflect on how God’s plan is reflected not only in our life choices but even in our failures.
Apply It to Yourself
- I carefully examine what the standard is for advice that I hear and follow.
- I also look back on how my choices affect other people and make up my mind to develop an attitude of listening with humility.
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