2 Chronicles 10:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel rejects Rehoboam's rule and returns home, effectively ending their covenant with the house of David.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 10:16
Israel declares their separation from Rehoboam and the house of David, dismantling the united kingdom.
What Does 2 Chronicles 10:16 Mean?
The people's response cuts to the heart of the matter: if the king will not hear them, they have no obligation to him. Their words deny any inherited claim to loyalty and return the people to their own tribal autonomy. The call to return to their tents signals the dismantling of the unified kingdom.
The words 'What portion have we in David?' invoke the ancient covenant between the people and David's house, a relationship based on mutual obligation and justice. By refusing to hear his people, Rehoboam has voided that covenant. The people are not rebelling against rightful authority but withdrawing from a king who has rejected his responsibility to them.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 10:16
What does 2 Chronicles 10:16 mean?
Israel rejects Rehoboam's rule and returns home, effectively ending their covenant with the house of David.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 10:16?
Israel declares their separation from Rehoboam and the house of David, dismantling the united kingdom.