2 Chronicles 10:9
New International Version
He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

New Living Translation
“What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?”

English Standard Version
And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?”

Berean Standard Bible
He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
And he said to them, “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

New American Standard Bible
He said to them, “What advice do you give, so that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

NASB 1995
So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

NASB 1977
So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may respond to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

Amplified Bible
He asked them, “What advice do you give to us regarding the answer to these people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

Christian Standard Bible
He asked them, “What message do you advise we send back to this people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He asked them, “What message do you advise we send back to these people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us?”

American Standard Version
And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter?

Contemporary English Version
He asked, "What do you think I should say to these people who asked me to make their work easier?"

English Revised Version
And he said unto them, What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we respond to these people who are asking me to lighten the burden my father put on them?"

Good News Translation
"What do you advise me to do?" he asked. "What shall I say to the people who are asking me to make their burdens lighter?"

International Standard Version
As a result, he asked them, "What's your advice, so we can give an answer to these people who have asked me, 'Please lighten the burden that your father put on us'?"

Majority Standard Bible
He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

NET Bible
He asked them, "How do you advise me to respond to these people who said to me, 'Lessen the demands your father placed on us'?"

New Heart English Bible
He said to them, "What counsel do you give, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, 'Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter?'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, What advice give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father put upon us?

World English Bible
He said to them, “What counsel do you give, that we may give an answer to these people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter?’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says to them, “What are you counseling, and we answer this people that have spoken to me, saying, Make light [some] of the yoke that your father put on us?”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith unto them, 'What are ye counselling, and we answer this people that have spoken unto me, saying, Make light somewhat of the yoke that thy father put upon us?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to them, What counsel ye? and we will turn back word to this people who spake to me, saying, Lighten from the yoke which thy father gave upon us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them: What seemeth good to you? or what shall I answer this people, who have said to me: Ease the yoke which thy father laid upon us?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “How does it seem to you? Or how should I respond to this people, who have said to me, ‘Lift up the yoke that your father imposed upon us?’ ”

New American Bible
He said to them, “What answer do you advise us to give this people, who have told me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father imposed on us’?”

New Revised Standard Version
He said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to them, What advice do you give me that we may return answer to this people who have spoken to me, saying, Lighten the yoke which your father did put upon us, and we will serve you?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to them: “What answer do you advise to return to this people who spoke with me, and they were saying to me: ”Take away from us the oppression with which your father oppressed us and we will work for you?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto them: 'What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying: Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to them, What do ye advise that I should answer this people, who spoke to me, saying, Ease somewhat of the yoke which thy father laid upon us?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebellion Against Rehoboam
8But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. 9He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?” 10The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you should make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!…

Cross References
1 Kings 12:6-11
Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. / They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” / But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. ...

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 24:6
Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

Ecclesiastes 4:13
Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.

Job 12:12
Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Jeremiah 23:18
But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it?

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...

Mark 10:42-45
So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ...

Luke 22:25-27
So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

1 Corinthians 1:19-20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, What advice give you that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that your father did put on us?

What advice

2 Chronicles 10:6
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?

2 Samuel 17:5,6
Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith…

1 Kings 22:6-8
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king…

Ease

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.

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2 Chronicles 10
1. The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam,
3. by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him,
6. Rehoboam, refusing the old mens' counsel, answers them roughly,
16. Ten tribes revolting, kill Hadoram, and make Rehoboam flee














He asked them
This phrase indicates a moment of seeking counsel, a common practice among leaders in ancient times. The Hebrew root for "asked" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which implies a request for guidance or inquiry. In the context of Rehoboam's reign, this reflects a pivotal moment where the king seeks wisdom, highlighting the importance of seeking godly counsel. Historically, this was a time when the kingdom was on the brink of division, and the king's decision would have lasting consequences.

What advice do you give me
The word "advice" comes from the Hebrew "עֵצָה" (etsah), meaning counsel or plan. This reflects the biblical principle that wise counsel is crucial for leadership, as seen in Proverbs 11:14, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Rehoboam's inquiry underscores the need for discernment in choosing advisors, a lesson for leaders to surround themselves with those who fear the Lord and seek His wisdom.

to answer these people
The phrase "to answer" is derived from the Hebrew "עָנָה" (anah), meaning to respond or reply. This indicates the responsibility of a leader to communicate effectively with the people. The historical context here is significant, as the Israelites were expressing their grievances, and the king's response would determine the unity or division of the nation. It serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of a leader's response in times of tension.

who have spoken to me
This phrase highlights the direct communication between the people and their king. The Hebrew "דִּבֵּר" (dabar) for "spoken" suggests a formal or significant speech. In the biblical narrative, this reflects the people's plea for relief from heavy burdens, echoing the broader biblical theme of justice and mercy. It reminds us of the importance of listening to the needs and cries of those we lead, as God listens to His people.

saying, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'
The "yoke" symbolizes the burdens and obligations imposed by Solomon's reign, which had become oppressive. The Hebrew "עֹל" (ol) for "yoke" is often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent subjugation or hardship. This plea for a lighter yoke is a call for relief and justice, resonating with Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:29-30, where He offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. Historically, this request reflects the socio-political climate of the time, where the people longed for a more compassionate and just leadership. It serves as a timeless reminder of the need for leaders to exercise authority with humility and care, aligning with God's heart for His people.

(9) And he said unto them.--The verse agrees with Kings to the letter.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He asked
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
אֲלֵהֶ֗ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“What
מָ֚ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

message
דָּבָ֖ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

do you
אַתֶּ֣ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

advise
נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים (nō·w·‘ā·ṣîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

that we send back
וְנָשִׁ֥יב (wə·nā·šîḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to these
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

have spoken
דִּבְּר֤וּ (dib·bə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to me,
אֵלַי֙ (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Lighten
הָקֵל֙ (hā·qêl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling

the yoke
הָעֹ֔ל (hā·‘ōl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5923: A yoke

your father
אָבִ֖יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

put
נָתַ֥ן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

on us’?”
עָלֵֽינוּ׃ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 10:9 He said to them What counsel give (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 10:8
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