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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Chronicles 10:7 They replied, "If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_chronicles/10-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/14_2Ch_10_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Chronicles 10:7 - Rebellion Against Rehoboam" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They replied, If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_chronicles/10-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_chronicles/">2 Chronicles</a> > <a href="/2_chronicles/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_chronicles/10-6.htm" title="2 Chronicles 10:6">◄</a> 2 Chronicles 10:7 <a href="/2_chronicles/10-8.htm" title="2 Chronicles 10:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/10.htm">New International Version</a> They replied, &#8220If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/10.htm">New Living Translation</a> The older counselors replied, “If you are good to these people and do your best to please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.” <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/10.htm">English Standard Version</a> And they said to him, “If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They replied, “If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/10.htm">King James Bible</a> And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever. <a href="/nkjv/2_chronicles/10.htm">New King James Version</a> And they spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/nasb_/2_chronicles/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to this people and please them and speak pleasant words to them, then they will be your servants always.” <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/10.htm">NASB 1995</a> They spoke to him, saying, &#8220If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_chronicles/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/lsb/2_chronicles/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/amp/2_chronicles/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They answered him, saying, “If you are kind to these people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/csb/2_chronicles/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They replied, “If you will be kind to this people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/hcsb/2_chronicles/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They replied, &#8220If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_chronicles/10.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. <a href="/cev/2_chronicles/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They answered, "If you want them to serve and obey you, then you should be kind and promise to make their work easier." <a href="/erv/2_chronicles/10.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants forever. <a href="/gwt/2_chronicles/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They told him, "If you are good to these people and try to please them by speaking gently to them, then they will always be your servants." <a href="/gnt/2_chronicles/10.htm">Good News Translation</a> They replied, "If you are kind to these people and try to please them by giving a considerate answer, they will always serve you loyally." <a href="/isv/2_chronicles/10.htm">International Standard Version</a> In reply, they told him, "If you will be kind to this people, please them, and speak appropriately to them with kind words, they'll serve you forever." <a href="/msb/2_chronicles/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They replied, ?If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.? <a href="/net/2_chronicles/10.htm">NET Bible</a> They said to him, "If you are fair to these people, grant their request, and are cordial to them, they will be your servants from this time forward." <a href="/nheb/2_chronicles/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They spoke to him, saying, "If you are kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever." <a href="/wbt/2_chronicles/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they spoke to him, saying, If thou wilt be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever. <a href="/web/2_chronicles/10.htm">World English Bible</a> They spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_chronicles/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they speak to him, saying, “If you become good to this people, and have been pleased with them, and spoken to them good words, then they have been servants to you [for] all the days.” <a href="/ylt/2_chronicles/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they speak unto him, saying, 'If thou dost become good to this people, and hast been pleased with them, and spoken unto them good words, then they have been to thee servants all the days.' <a href="/slt/2_chronicles/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will speak to him, saying, If thou wilt be for good to this people, and pleasing them, and speak to them good words, and they were servants to thee all the days.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_chronicles/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they said to him: If thou please this people, and soothe them with kind words, they will be thy servants for ever. <a href="/cpdv/2_chronicles/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they said to him, “If you please this people, and if you soothe them with words of clemency, they will be your servants for all days.” <a href="/nabre/2_chronicles/10.htm">New American Bible</a> They replied, “If you will deal kindly with this people and please them, giving them a favorable reply, they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_chronicles/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They answered him, “If you will be kind to this people and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_chronicles/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they spoke to him, saying, If you will answer kindly to this people, and please them and speak good words to them, they will be your servants for ever. <a href="/hpbt/2_chronicles/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they spoke with him and they were saying to him: “If the answer is good to this people, and you will rejoice before their faces and you shall speak good words with them, they will be to you fine Servants and Laborers all the days of your life.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_chronicles/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And they spoke unto him, saying: 'If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.' <a href="/sep/2_chronicles/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they spoke to him, saying, If thou wouldest this day befriend this people, and be kind to them, and speak to them good words, then will they be thy servants for ever. <a href="/parallel/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGrb4955Tvs?start=2408" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/10.htm">Rebellion Against Rehoboam</a> …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. 7<a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">They replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">“If</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: tih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">you will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: lə·ṭō·wḇ (Prep-l:: Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">kind</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">to these</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: lə·hā·‘ām (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7521.htm" title="7521: ū·rə·ṣî·ṯām (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms:: 3mp) -- To be pleased with, accept favorably. A primitive root; to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt.">and please them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: wə·ḏib·bar·tā (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">by speaking</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·w·ḇîm (Adj-mp) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">kind</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇā·rîm (N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">words</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">to them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">they will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">your</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">forever.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative."></a> 8But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_kings/12-7.htm">1 Kings 12:7</a> They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” <a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1</a> A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. <a href="/proverbs/25-15.htm">Proverbs 25:15</a> Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26-28</a> It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/mark/10-43.htm">Mark 10:43-45</a> But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. / For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/luke/22-26.htm">Luke 22:26-27</a> But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. <a href="/1_peter/5-3.htm">1 Peter 5:3</a> not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. <a href="/ephesians/6-9.htm">Ephesians 6:9</a> And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. <a href="/colossians/4-1.htm">Colossians 4:1</a> Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. <a href="/romans/12-10.htm">Romans 12:10</a> Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. <a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-4</a> Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. <a href="/james/3-17.htm">James 3:17</a> But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13</a> For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-19.htm">1 Corinthians 9:19</a> Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. <a href="/proverbs/11-14.htm">Proverbs 11:14</a> For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they spoke to him, saying, If you be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants for ever.If thou be king<a href="/1_kings/12-7.htm">1 Kings 12:7</a> And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.<a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1</a> A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.speak good<a href="/genesis/49-21.htm">Genesis 49:21</a> Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.<a href="/2_samuel/15-2.htm">2 Samuel 15:2-6</a> And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/7-16.htm">Always</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-13.htm">Favorable</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-8.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-10.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-42.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-17.htm">Please</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/8-6.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-4.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-17.htm">Wilt</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-29.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/18-7.htm">Always</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-18.htm">Favorable</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-5.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/12-12.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-6.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/18-4.htm">Please</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/30-4.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/12-8.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/18-3.htm">Wilt</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-4.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">2 Chronicles 10</div>1. <a href="/2_chronicles/10-1.htm">The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam, </a> 3. <a href="/2_chronicles/10-3.htm">by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him,</a> 6. <a href="/2_chronicles/10-6.htm">Rehoboam, refusing the old mens' counsel, answers them roughly,</a> 16. <a href="/2_chronicles/10-16.htm">Ten tribes revolting, kill Hadoram, and make Rehoboam flee</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_chronicles/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>They replied This phrase refers to the elders who had served Solomon, King Rehoboam's father. These elders were experienced advisors, having witnessed the prosperity and challenges of Solomon's reign. Their reply is rooted in wisdom gained from years of governance and understanding of the people's needs.If you will be kind to these people The call for kindness reflects a principle found throughout Scripture, where leaders are encouraged to show compassion and understanding. This echoes the biblical theme of servant leadership, as seen in Jesus' teachings (<a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Matthew 20:26-28</a>). Kindness in leadership is a recurring theme, emphasizing the importance of empathy and care for those under one's authority.and please them by speaking kind words to them The emphasis on kind words highlights the power of speech in leadership. <a href="/proverbs/15.htm">Proverbs 15:1</a> states, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." The elders advise Rehoboam to use his words to build rapport and trust with the people, recognizing the impact of communication in maintaining unity and loyalty.they will be your servants forever This promise of lasting loyalty is contingent upon the king's treatment of his subjects. The concept of servitude here is not one of oppression but of willing service, akin to the relationship between Christ and His followers (<a href="/john/15-15.htm">John 15:15</a>). The elders suggest that a benevolent ruler can inspire enduring devotion, reflecting the covenantal relationship God desires with His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/r/rehoboam.htm">Rehoboam</a> The son of Solomon and the king of Israel who sought counsel on how to respond to the people's request for lighter burdens. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_elders.htm">The Elders</a> The older advisors who had served Solomon and advised Rehoboam to be kind and serve the people. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_israel.htm">The People of Israel</a> The subjects of Rehoboam who requested relief from the heavy yoke imposed by Solomon. 4. <a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a> The place where Rehoboam went to be made king and where the people approached him with their request. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jeroboam.htm">Jeroboam</a> A former official under Solomon who led the people in their request and later became the king of the northern tribes.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_wisdom_of_listening_to_wise_counsel.htm">The Wisdom of Listening to Wise Counsel</a> Rehoboam's account illustrates the importance of heeding wise and experienced advice. In our lives, seeking and valuing godly counsel can lead to better decision-making. <a href="/topical/s/servant_leadership.htm">Servant Leadership</a> The elders' advice reflects a biblical model of leadership that prioritizes serving others. As Christians, we are called to lead by serving, following the example of Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_pride_and_rash_decisions.htm">The Consequences of Pride and Rash Decisions</a> Rehoboam's failure to listen led to division and conflict. Pride and hasty decisions can have long-lasting negative effects in our personal and communal lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_kindness_and_gentle_words.htm">The Power of Kindness and Gentle Words</a> The elders emphasized kindness and favorable responses. Practicing kindness and speaking gently can build strong, lasting relationships. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility_in_leadership.htm">The Importance of Humility in Leadership</a> Humility in leadership fosters loyalty and unity. Leaders who prioritize the well-being of their followers often inspire greater commitment and cooperation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_chronicles_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 10</a> <a href="/q/what's_jacob's_trouble_mean.htm">What is the meaning of Jacob's Trouble?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_ezekiel_37_25-28_fulfilled_today.htm">How can Ezekiel 37:25-28's everlasting covenant and sanctuary be understood when there seems to be no clear historical or present-day fulfillment matching this depiction?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_rehoboam's_reply_only_harsh.htm">Why does 1 Kings 12:14 present Rehoboam's answer as solely harsh, despite other biblical accounts that sometimes provide a balancing perspective?</a> <a href="/q/define_positive_confession..htm">What is the definition of positive confession?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_chronicles/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) If thou be kind to this people.--A free paraphrase of, "If to-day thou become a servant to this people and serve them" (Kings)--words which may have seemed inappropriate to the redactor, in connection with the king, but which form a pointed antithesis to the last clause of the verse, "they will be thy servants for ever."And please them.--Be propitious to them, receive them graciously (racah). (<a href="/genesis/33-10.htm" title="And Jacob said, No, I pray you, if now I have found grace in your sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen your face, as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.">Genesis 33:10</a>.) Kings, "answer them."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 7, 8. - Rehoboam was now (<a href="/1_kings/14-21.htm">1 Kings 14:21</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/12-13.htm">2 Chronicles 12:13</a>; but cf. 13:7) forty-one years of age; he was just too old to find any excuse for inability to gauge either the experience, and value of it, of the "old," or the inexperience, and foolishness of it, of the immature human heart. According to the modern phrase, he was just ripe to have known and bethought himself of this. But all rashly Rehoboam casts the die. The sound judgment, real knowledge, opportune and practical advice of the "old men," uttered evidently off so kind a tongue, should have been indeed now "as good as an inheritance; yea, better too" (<a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:11</a>, margin). The reading of the parallel is well worthy to be noted (<a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">1 Kings 11:7</a>), with its manifestly pleasantly and skilfully worded antithesis, "If thou this day will be a servant to this people... then they will be thy servants for ever." Our words, however, have their own exquisite beauty about them, If thou wilt be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them. One might fancy that Saul, and David, and Solomon, and angels themselves bended over the scene, and looked and listened and longed for wisdom and love and right to prevail. The young men that had grown up with him. While this expression throws light as above on that which speaks of Rehoboam's old men counsellors, it wakens the question how men of forty-one years of age can be called "young," as Rehoboam was not living in patriarchal aged times. And the question is emphasized by the language applied to Rehoboam in <a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a>, where he is described as "young and tenderhearted," and unable, for want of strength of character and of knowledge, to "withstand vain men" (as he surely shows too clearly now). It has been suggested ('Speaker's Commentary,' 2:562, Note C) that כא (21) should be read for מא (41) in the two passages quoted above (<a href="/1_kings/14-21.htm">1 Kings 14:21</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/12-13.htm">2 Chronicles 12:13</a>). The suggestion seems good, and it is certainly reasonable for the requirements of both matter and manner. <a href="/commentaries/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>They replied, וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ (way·ḏab·bə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue “If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you will be תִּֽהְיֶ֨ה (tih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be kind לְט֜וֹב (lə·ṭō·wḇ) Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good to these הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that people לְהָעָ֤ם (lə·hā·‘ām) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock and please them וּרְצִיתָ֔ם (ū·rə·ṣî·ṯām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7521.htm">Strong's 7521: </a> To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debt by speaking וְדִבַּרְתָּ֥ (wə·ḏib·bar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue kind טוֹבִ֑ים (ṭō·w·ḇîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good words דְּבָרִ֣ים (də·ḇā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause to them, אֵלָ֜יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to they will be וְהָי֥וּ (wə·hā·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be your servants עֲבָדִ֖ים (‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant forever.” כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">2 Chronicles 10:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-7.htm">OT History: 2 Chronicles 10:7 They spoke to him saying If you (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_chronicles/10-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Chronicles 10:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 10:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_chronicles/10-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Chronicles 10:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 10:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>