Bible Commentaries

2 Chronicles 10:7

(with 2 Chronicles 10:11)

This incident illustrates the two modes of treating men—the conciliatory and the unconciliatory. The principle applies to all men in some of the relations of life; and the question is, What is the true, and consequently the safe, basis of all government?

I. Social positions are graduated. The strong man will of necessity sooner or later go to the front and claim the influence which belongs of right to his powers, and the weak man will be left at the point which exhausts his strength. Democracy does not equalize men. Universal suffrage would not mean universal equality.

II. Though social positions are graduated, yet no elevation of rank gives one man the right to tyrannise over another. Tyranny is necessarily associated with littleness of nature, littleness somewhere; there may be many great qualities, but the nature as a whole is of a low type. The maintenance of a conciliatory policy is quite consistent with (1) headship; (2) firmness; (3) justice. What is the cure of all false relations among men? The Gospel of reconciliation. That includes everything. To all those who have to work among men it is important to remember the two methods, conciliation and tyranny.

Parker, Pulpit Analyst, vol. ii., p. 452.

References: 2 Chronicles 1:10.—Clergyman's Magazine, vol. ix., p. 18. 2 Chronicles 2:11.—Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes: Genesis to Proverbs, p. 99. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, and 2 Chronicles 7:1-3.—Ibid., Sermons, vol. vii., Nos. 375-378. 2 Chronicles 6:18.—Christian World Pulpit, vol. viii., p. 165; W. Jay, Thursday Penny Pulpit, vol. v., p. 265. 2 Chronicles 6:28, 2 Chronicles 6:30.—J. Keble, Sermons for the Christian Year: Septuagesima to Ash Wednesday, p. 372. 2 Chronicles 6:34, 2 Chronicles 6:35.—H. B. Moffat, The Pulpit, vol. iv., p. 313. 2 Chronicles 9:17-19.—J. M. Neale, Sermons for the Church Year, vol. ii., p. 274. 2 Chronicles 10:4, 2 Chronicles 10:13, 2 Chronicles 10:19.—W. Bishop, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xxx., p. 45.

2 Chronicles 10:8

There were two things that contributed specially to make the life of Rehoboam a failure.

I. He was brought up in the lap of luxury, and that is not good for any man. Had Solomon's son been brought up less luxuriously, had he known something in his early days of real hard work, had he met with difficulties and rebuffs such as fall to the lot of many, he might have turned out a more sensible and successful man.

II. He refused the advice of men who were older and wiser than himself. Evil companionship proved his destruction. We take the colour of the society we keep, as the frogs of Ceylon do that of the leaf on which they sit. Be slow to form your friendships. Endeavour first to take the measure of every man who courts your company.

J. Thain Davidson, Forewarned—Forearmed, p. 33.