2 Chronicles 10:2

10:2 Jeroboam . . . had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon: See 1 Kgs 11:26-40. Jeroboam returned from Egypt at the news of Solomon’s death.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(2) Who was in Egypt.—Really a parenthesis, “And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard (now he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the face of Solomon the king), that Jeroboam returned from Egypt.” The chronicler has omitted to say he was still in Egypt (‘ôdennû, Kings), because he has not alluded before to his flight thither. (See 1Ki_11:26-40.)

That Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.—Kings continues the parenthesis, “and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt.” The words dwelt and returned are spelt with the same letters in Hebrew, the difference being one of pointing only.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. Jeroboam] For his antecedents (which are not given by the Chronicler) see 1Ki_11:26 ff.

that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt] So we should read also in 1Ki_12:2 for “and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt.” The difference in Heb. between the two readings when written without the vowels is confined to one letter.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 2, 3. In these verses the compiler brings up lost time. He has not mentioned before the name of Jeroboam, just as he has not mentioned the lustful sins of Solomon that led to idolatry, and these sequel idolatries of his, that heralded the shattering of his kingdom immediately on his decease. So we are now told all in one how Jeroboam, in his refuge-retreat in Egypt, (1Ki_11:26-40) "heard" of Solomon"s demise, and apparently (see first clause of our third verse) heard of it in this wise, that "they," i.e. the "all Israel" (of our first verse) "had sent and called him" Probably the growing sense of discontent and the rankling in those tribes that were not closely breathing the atmosphere of Jerusalem and the one home county, because of their burdens and taxation, and possibly also Ephraim"s ancient and famed rivalry, knew instinctively that this hour of Solomon"s death was the hour, if any, of their redemption. The lacunae in the history speak for themselves; for though the tribes, after the long seething of their complainings and sufferings, needed but short time for deliberation, Solomon"s death must have been an accomplished fact before they (whoever the "they" were) sent to Egypt to Jeroboam; and that sending and his returning or otherwise, at any rate his hearing and consequent returning, must have taken time. Considering all this, it is re markable that no note of time is found. But had only our first verse been placed as the last of the foregoing chapter, the ambiguity would have been less. For the strange variations on the history of Jeroboam (a name, together with that of Rehoboam, new to Solomon"s time, meaning "many-peopled," while Rehoboam signifies "increaser of people"), as found in the Hebrew texts, and additions to it, see the Septuagint Version, 1Ki_11:43 1Ki_12:24; and A. P. Stanley"s article, "Jeroboam," in Dr. Smith"s "Bible Dictionary," 1. 979, 980; and comp. again 1Ki_11:26-40 1Ki_12:25 1Ki_14:13, 1Ki_14:17, 1Ki_14:18. Stanley"s faith in the Septuagint notwithstanding, its variations and additions are not reconcileable enough with either the Hebrew text or themselves to command anything like unfeigned acceptance. One thing may be considered to come out without much obscurity or uncertainty that Jeroboam was the acknowledged rather than tacit leader of an opposition that was tacit at present rather than acknowledged; nor is it at all improbable, under all the circumstances, that the Rehoboam party in, knowing well how the ground really lay, were as content to let the coronation, so to call it, at Shechem linger awhile for Jeroboam"s return, as Jeroboam"s opposition party out desired and perhaps compelled the delay. Of course, Jeroboam knew well, none better than he, as of old the overseer of the forced labour and taxation of Ephraim, (1Ki_11:28 1Ki_9:15) how grievous the service and how heavy the yoke to his people, even when he had acquitted himself as the most "industrious" of taskmasters.

The recall of an exile.

I THE EXILE"S STORY.

1. His name. Jeroboam, "whose people are many;" the son of Nebat. His father was an Ephrathite of Zareda, in Ephraim; his mother a widow (1Ki_11:26) which may mean either that he had been born in unlawful wedlock (LXX), or that his father had died while he was young, leaving him to be brought up by his widowed mother (Josephus).

2. His character. Courageous and industrious, "a mighty man of valour", (Jud_1:6:12 11:1) and a man that did work (Pro_22:29) two qualities befitting youth, and almost certain to bring temporal success in their train; two qualities that should never be absent from Christians, who are specially commanded to "add to their faith virtue, or courage", (2Pe_1:5) and to "be not slothful in business". (Rom_12:10)

1. His promotion. Just when Jeroboam came to manhood, Solomon was engaged in building Millo, and closing up the breach in the city of David

2. (1Ki_9:15) For these purposes Solomon raised a levy of workmen, not of the Hittites, Amorites, etc., (2Ch_8:7) but of Israelites, who worked by courses of ten thousand a month; (1Ki_5:13 1Ki_9:15) or imposed certain burdens in connection with those works which required to be borne by the Israelites. Discerning Jeroboam to be a capable youth, of spirit and energy, Solomon appointed him overseer or governor of all those Israelites employed in or about the works who belonged to the house of Joseph, i.e. who were Ephraimites.

3. His incipient rebellion. Serving in this office, he began to commune with his own thoughts about raising a revolt. Either as an Ephraimite he felt humiliated at being obliged to work in the capital of Judah, or being a youth of aspiring mind he was not content with the elevation suddenly thrust upon him, and wished to climb higher; but in any case, when the "mood" was on him, an incident occurred which, chiming in as it did with his own aspirations, pricked the sides of his intent, and bore him onwards in his dangerous career of ambition. That incident was his meeting with Ahijah the Shilonite, who told him that Jehovah intended to wrest ten tribes from the Davidic kingdom and give them to him, Jeroboam. (1Ki_11:29) A perilous communication for a youth like Jeroboam to carry about with him! Josephus states that it prompted him "to persuade the people to forsake Solomon, to make a disturbance, and to bring the government over to himself" ("Ant.," 8:7.8).

4. His precipitate flight. His treason having come to the king"s knowledge, he was obliged to save himself from well-merited execution by suddenly withdrawing from the land, and seeking refuge in Egypt under the sceptre of Shishak. (see on 2Ch_12:2)

II THE EXILE"S RETURN.

1. Its date. When Solomon was dead. A king"s life is sometimes a kingdom"s best bulwark against revolution. So long as Solomon lived, insurrection under Jeroboam was impracticable. Yet a king"s life may be the greatest barrier to the progress of a good work. Moses could not return to Egypt to resume his emancipation work until Rameses II was dead. (Exo_2:23) Joseph could not return from Egypt with Mary and Jesus until Herod was dead. (Mat_2:19)

1. Its occasion. The invitation of the northern tribes (ver. 3). This, addressed to Jeroboam while at the court of Shishak, (1Ki_12:2; Josephus, " Ant.," 8:8. 1) was probably the medium through which he

2. learnt of Solomon"s decease. Not necessary to hold. that it was only despatched to Jeroboam after the tribes had assembled at Shechem (Bahr), since it may easily have been sent immediately on Solomon"s death, between which event and the gathering at Shechem twelve months intervened. Jeroboam, however, is commonly supposed (Bertheau, Bahr) to have returned from Egypt ex proprio motu, and to have been residing with his wife and child at Zareda or Sarira, when summoned to Shechem. The suggestion (Keil) is probably correct that two invitations were addressed to Jeroboam the first while he was yet in Egypt, to return to his native land; the second while he lingered at Zareda, to come to Shechem.

3. Its object. Whether of his own accord, or in obedience to the summons of the tribes, Jeroboam returned from Egypt; his ulterior aim, there can be little question, was to further his own ambitious projects.

LESSONS.

1. The value to a young man of energy and talent.

2. The danger as well as sin of harbouring ambitious thoughts.

3. The hatefulness of treachery.

4. The possibility of a wicked man"s schemes furthering God"sdesigns. W.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And it was when... heard The meaning is: And it was when he heard - prior to this, when they came to make him [Rehoboam] king in Shechem, when he [Jeroboam] was still in Egypt.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.