2 Chronicles 10-12

What’s Happening?

The fate of God’s people depends on seeking and listening to God’s voice. Kings David and Solomon ushered in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for Israel by humbly listening to God. But Solomon’s son doesn’t listen to God, and Israel quickly implodes as a result. Rather than coronating himself in Jerusalem and in God’s temple, Rehoboam crowns himself in a far-off city without any sacrifices or prayers to God (2 Chronicles 10:1). Immediately a former head-of-state, Jeroboam, rallies a group of disgruntled slaves and delivers an ultimatum to the new king (2 Chronicles 10:2-3). If he will not lighten the workload Solomon placed on them, they will no longer be loyal to David’s dynasty. Rehoboam asks for three days to process this ultimatum (2 Chronicles 10:4-5). 

God is testing Rehoboam to see if he will seek his guidance like his ancestors. But Rehoboam doesn’t, even when his royal counselors are divided. The advisors who served under Solomon suggest giving into Jeroboam’s demands to secure both the unity of Israel and the loyalty of their labor force (2 Chronicles 10:6-7). But Rehoboam’s contemporaries advise threatening these insubordinate slaves with heavier loads until they fall in line (2 Chronicles 10:8-11). Rehoboam does not ask God for advice. Instead, he sides with his younger counselors and threatens to whip his slaves into submission. Led by Jeroboam, the slaves revolt (2 Chronicles 10:12-16). Ten of Israel’s twelve tribes side with Jeroboam against the Davidic dynasty—and Israel splits in two (2 Chronicles 10:17-19). 

Israel has split because Rehoboam failed to seek and listen to God. In an attempt to salvage control of Israel, Rehoboam declares war against Jeroboam's kingdom. But before he can attack, God speaks through a prophet and tells Rehoboam to stand down. Surprisingly, he listens. Rehoboam avoids a bloody war in favor of fortifying vulnerable cities throughout the tribal lands of Judah and Benjamin (2 Chronicles 11:1-12). Meanwhile, Jeroboam builds an alternate temple to the one in Jerusalem, furnishes it with a golden calf, and banishes God’s priestly tribe. In response, the tribe of Levi defects from Jeroboam and rejoins Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:13-17). Despite failing previously, Rehoboam’s kingdom is partially repaired as he listens to God (2 Chronicles 11:18-22).

But as Rehoboam’s kingdom grows more secure, he once again stops listening when God speaks. The king of Egypt attacks Rehoboam and takes several of his recently fortified cities (2 Chronicles 12:1-4). The same prophet who warned Rehoboam before tells him they are losing to Egypt because they have stopped listening to God’s laws (2 Chronicles 12:5). But like before, Rehoboam listens. God then restrains Egypt and allows him to rule his half of a divided Israel for another twelve years (2 Chronicles 12:6-12). While Rehoboam listens to God on occasion, his failure to seek God’s guidance has permanently divided his country (2 Chronicles 12:14).

Where is the Gospel?

The Chronicler wants his readers to understand that the fate of God’s people depends on a king from David’s line who seeks and listens to God’s voice. The first story in the book of Chronicles remembers how Israel’s first king failed to listen to God, was defeated in battle, and committed suicide (1 Chronicles 10:1-13). Now Rehoboam does not consistently seek God’s guidance, and immediately Israel begins her long and slow slide towards national suicide. The fate of God’s people depends on a king who will always seek and listen to God’s voice.

That listening king is Jesus (John 5:19-20). Like Rehoboam, Jesus was tested with similar ultimatums from those in power in Jerusalem. The Pharisees demanded answers to impossible questions, hoping to divide Jesus’ followers and trap him by his words (Matthew 17:24-27). At other times, they held Jesus accountable to impossible double standards (Matthew 11:17-18). But unlike Rehoboam who promised a heavier weight and more violent hand, Jesus gently and humbly promised a lighter load for his people and rest for their souls (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus is the King who comes to his revolting subjects and doesn’t whip them into submission, but gently takes their burdens on himself.

God knew the only way to forever unite his people was for Jesus to take responsibility for his people’s burdens and die under the weight of his people’s sin (Philippians 2:8). But in response God raised Jesus from his grave and placed him on a throne above all other powers (Ephesians 2:6, 13). The fate of God’s people has been determined. The fate of God’s people is eternal life, peace, and prosperity because Jesus is the King from David’s line who has listened to God’s voice. 

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who speaks to his people. And may you see Jesus as the one who takes his people’s burden on himself.