2 Chronicles 10:6

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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?

Bible in Basic English

Then King Rehoboam took the opinion of the old men who had been with Solomon his father when he was living, and said, In your opinion, what answer am I to give to this people?

Douay-Rheims 1899

He took counsel with the ancients, who had stood before his father Solomon, while he yet lived, saying: What counsel give you to me, that I may answer the people?

Free Bible Version

King Rehoboam asked for advice from the elders who had served his father Solomon when he was alive. “How do you advise me to reply to these people about this?” he asked.

Geneva Bible 1599

And King Rehoboam tooke counsel with the olde men that had stande before Salomon his father, while hee yet liued, saying, What counsell giue ye that I may answere this people?

King James (Authorized) Version

¶ 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?

Translation for Translators

Then King Rehoboam consulted his older men who had advised his father Solomon while he was still alive. He asked them, “What shall I say to answer these men?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he was alive; he said, “How would you advise me to bring an answer to these people?”

Noah Webster Bible

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?

World English Bible

King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give me about how to answer these people?”

Young's Literal Translation

And king Rehoboam consulteth with the aged men who have been standing before Solomon his father in his being alive, saying, 'How are ye counselling to answer this people?'

Context

Rebellion against Rehoboam

⁵Rehoboam answered, “Come back to me in three days.” So the people departed.⁶Then 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.

Sermons

The Lord Stirred Up the Spirit of Cyrus.

F.B. Meyer

Summary

In this verse, King Rehoboam seeks counsel from the elders who had served his father Solomon, showing wisdom in seeking advice from those with experience. However, he rejects their guidance and instead listens to the advice of his peers, leading to disastrous consequences. This highlights the importance of humility and discernment in leadership, as well as the consequences of pride and arrogance. The verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring wise counsel and making decisions based on personal desires rather than wisdom.

Commentary

Tyndale

Tyndale Open Study Notes

10:6 The older men of Israel were distinguished from officials, nobles, and guardians (Judg 8:14; 1 Kgs 21:8; 2 Kgs 10:5) who had official government roles. These elders traditionally exercised considerable influence in royal decisions. When Ben-hadad, king of Aram, attacked Samaria, the elders of Samaria were decisive in rejecting his harsh terms of surrender (1 Kgs 20:7-9). Earlier, when Absalom revolted against David, the elders of Israel were influential in critical decisions (2 Sam 17:4, 15; 19:11).