Rehoboam’s journey to Shechem signals a pivotal shift in Israel’s history.
In 2 Chronicles 10:1, we read that Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. (v.1) This verse establishes the scene where Solomon’s son, Rehoboam (who reigned around 930-913 BC), is preparing to assume the throne of Israel. The people of Israel gather at Shechem, a divinely significant location that had conveyed God’s promises and covenantal blessings since the time of Abraham (Genesis 12:6-7). By stating that “all Israel” came to Shechem, Scripture points to a focal moment, when the entire nation would witness and affirm Rehoboam’s right to rule, linking him to his father Solomon (970-931 BC) and to his grandfather David (circa 1010-970 BC), and ultimately showing the continuity of the lineage that leads to Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 1:7).
The mention of Shechem brings historical layers into view. Located in the hill country of Ephraim (north of Jerusalem), Shechem had formerly been a place of assembly and communal decision-making (Joshua 24). Its surrounding terrain is mountainous, framed by Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, underscoring its prominence in Old Testament accounts. Gathering at Shechem for a royal coronation signaled an honor to the site’s heritage and to the unity of the Israelite tribes, who recognized this city as a witness to God’s promises and covenant accountability.
Rehoboam’s presence in Shechem symbolizes a hopeful beginning for Israel, yet it also foreshadows the tensions detailed in subsequent verses of 2 Chronicles 10, where the question of justice and wise leadership soon arises. As the son of Solomon, Rehoboam inherits not only the splendor and centralization of the monarchy but also the weight of leadership that his father once bore. Linking him to David’s kingly line and, far in the future, to Jesus Christ reminds us of how God works through human lineage to unfold His redemptive plan (Matthew 1:1-17).
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2 Chronicles 10:1 meaning
In 2 Chronicles 10:1, we read that Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. (v.1) This verse establishes the scene where Solomon’s son, Rehoboam (who reigned around 930-913 BC), is preparing to assume the throne of Israel. The people of Israel gather at Shechem, a divinely significant location that had conveyed God’s promises and covenantal blessings since the time of Abraham (Genesis 12:6-7). By stating that “all Israel” came to Shechem, Scripture points to a focal moment, when the entire nation would witness and affirm Rehoboam’s right to rule, linking him to his father Solomon (970-931 BC) and to his grandfather David (circa 1010-970 BC), and ultimately showing the continuity of the lineage that leads to Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 1:7).
The mention of Shechem brings historical layers into view. Located in the hill country of Ephraim (north of Jerusalem), Shechem had formerly been a place of assembly and communal decision-making (Joshua 24). Its surrounding terrain is mountainous, framed by Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, underscoring its prominence in Old Testament accounts. Gathering at Shechem for a royal coronation signaled an honor to the site’s heritage and to the unity of the Israelite tribes, who recognized this city as a witness to God’s promises and covenant accountability.
Rehoboam’s presence in Shechem symbolizes a hopeful beginning for Israel, yet it also foreshadows the tensions detailed in subsequent verses of 2 Chronicles 10, where the question of justice and wise leadership soon arises. As the son of Solomon, Rehoboam inherits not only the splendor and centralization of the monarchy but also the weight of leadership that his father once bore. Linking him to David’s kingly line and, far in the future, to Jesus Christ reminds us of how God works through human lineage to unfold His redemptive plan (Matthew 1:1-17).