2 Chronicles 10:13

“And the king answered them roughly; and King Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,”

This verse is part of a passage that describes the events following the death of King Solomon and the division of the kingdom of Israel. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, became the king of Judah, while Jeroboam became the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. The people of Israel, particularly those from the northern tribes, approached Rehoboam to request a lighter yoke and a reduction in the heavy burdens and harsh labour that Solomon had imposed on them.

In response to this plea, Rehoboam sought counsel from both the older advisors who had served under his father Solomon and the younger generation who had grown up with him. The elders advised Rehoboam to be considerate and respond favourably to the people’s request, assuring him that if he did so, they would serve him faithfully.

However, Rehoboam ignored the advice of the older advisors and instead turned to the counsel of his peers, who suggested responding with even harsher terms. Rehoboam’s choice is summarised in 2 Chronicles 10:13, where it says that he answered the people roughly and abandoned the counsel of the elderly advisors.

This decision by Rehoboam had significant consequences. The ten northern tribes of Israel, feeling rejected and oppressed, revolted against Rehoboam’s rule and established their own kingdom, known as the northern kingdom of Israel or the kingdom of Samaria. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained under Rehoboam’s control, forming the southern kingdom of Judah.