{"id":99929,"date":"2018-07-09T18:03:13","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T15:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-903\/"},"modified":"2021-12-27T15:48:26","modified_gmt":"2021-12-27T13:48:26","slug":"wall-903","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-903\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Writings-II Chronicles-10"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"903","date":"20290213","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"10","chapter_main_number":"903","books_group":"Writings","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"99915","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"JPS Audio Bible II Chronicles 10 ","post_title":"JPS Audio Bible II Chronicles 10","slug":"jps-audio-bible-ii-chronicles-10","old_id":"99915","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34686,"post_title":"Soundcloud","slug":"soundcloud","old_id":"34686","first_name":"","last_name":"","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34656,"alt":"","title":"491","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium_large-width":300,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","large-width":300,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","1536x1536-width":300,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","2048x2048-width":300,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","post_full_size-width":300,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"903","type_929":"4","show_author_image":true,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"JPS Audio Bible","tile_main_caption":"II Chronicles 10","tile_main_caption_size":"2","tile_sub_caption":"Hear the daily chapter","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-753876298\/jps_audio_bible_II_Chronicles_10","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"10","chapter_main_number":"903","date":"20290213","wall_id":"903"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"100267","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Elders v. Peers ","post_title":"Elders v. Peers","slug":"elders-v-peers","old_id":"100267","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":99130,"post_title":"Sandra Lilienthal","slug":"sandra-lilienthal","old_id":"99130","first_name":"Sandra ","last_name":"Lilienthal ","description":"Dr. Sandra Lilienthal is an independent adult educator in South Florida. Besides her many weekly classes, she is a frequent speaker at Jewish education conferences, synagogues and other Jewish organizations. Sandra is a 2015 winner of the Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.","short_description":"Dr. Sandra Lilienthal is an independent adult educator in South Florida, and is a 2015 winner of the Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":99132,"alt":"","title":"sandra lilienthal","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1.jpg","width":2319,"height":2209,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-300x286.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":286,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-768x732.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":732,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-1024x975.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":975,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1463,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1951,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-1200x1143.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1143,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-441x420.jpg","home_baner-width":441,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"903","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"On the need to balance creativity and innovation with respect for wisdom and experience\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

After Solomon\u2019s death, his son Rehoboam became king and inherited a kingdom that seemed to be united. Jeroboam, representing the northern ten tribes, approached Rehoboam asking him to consider lowering taxes Solomon had imposed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rehoboam consults with the elders, who had worked with Solomon. Having the benefit of experience both for having been part of the previous government and for being older, they counsel Rehoboam to deal favorably with the northerners so that they would remain loyal to him. Rehoboam then decides to ask for the opinion of his peers, who had no previous leadership experience and were as young as he was. Their advice was exactly the opposite \u2013 \u201cshow them who is in charge!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This story has repeated itself many times. Sometimes we see it in a teenager or young adult who goes against the advice of their parents; sometimes it is a newcomer to a job, who believes s\/he knows better than those who were there before and will make all the \u201cnecessary\u201d changes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

There is no question that creativity and innovation are important. If we always did what \u201chas always been done,\u201d we would still be in caves and making fire by the friction of pieces of wood. If we oppose changes, we risk being stuck both literally and figuratively. A story is told about an old synagogue in Germany. When the prayer leader would take the Torah scroll around the congregation, he would always stop and bow at a certain place. When asked why he did it, the answer was \u201cbecause this is how we have always done it.\u201d When researching this interesting \u201critual,\u201d they found that over 100 years earlier, there had been a crystal chandelier hanging at that spot, and the person carrying the Torah would have to bend down, so as not to hit it. That is why they would bow at that place. Fast forward 100 years, there no longer is a chandelier, no one even knows about it, but \u201cthis is how we always did it.\u201d Those who oppose change use that phrase frequently. Although it was completely nonsensical, it was still done. Whether this story really happened or not, it illustrates the dangers of being against change.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

On the other hand, when the newcomers think everything done in the past is \u201cold\u201d and has become \u201cirrelevant,\u201d when they believe the world has completely changed and the older people \u201cjust don\u2019t get it,\u201d it is almost certain that they will pay a price for the lack of experience and the misunderstanding of the culture of a group of people or an organization. By choosing to completely disregard the advice of those who had experience in power and listening instead to his young friends, Rehoboam made a terrible mistake, one which would quickly lead to the rebellion of the Northern tribes and ultimately to the division of the kingdom Solomon had been able to unite.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The best outcomes in life are seen when one is able to balance the experience and methods of the past, with creativity and push for change of those facing the future.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":100268,"alt":"","title":"2chron10-balance imbalance","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance.jpg","width":1920,"height":1066,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-300x167.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":167,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-768x426.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":426,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-1024x569.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":569,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":853,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1066,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-1200x666.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":666,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-756x420.jpg","home_baner-width":756,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Elders v. Peers","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"On the need to balance creativity and innovation with respect for wisdom and experience","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":100268,"alt":"","title":"2chron10-balance imbalance","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance.jpg","width":1920,"height":1066,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-300x167.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":167,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-768x426.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":426,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-1024x569.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":569,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":853,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1066,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-1200x666.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":666,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-balance-imbalance-756x420.jpg","home_baner-width":756,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"10","chapter_main_number":"903","date":"20290213","wall_id":"903"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":3,"id":"100264","color":"#f6f5de","size":"1","name":"Enter Jeroboam\u00a0\u00a0 ","post_title":"Enter Jeroboam\u00a0\u00a0","slug":"enter-jeroboam","old_id":"100264","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. He and his daughter studied the Tanach again for her bat mitzvah. Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group. When not studying for 929, Josh works as an in-house lawyer in New Jersey.","short_description":"Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group, and is an in-house attorney in New Jersey. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"903","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"But did he have popular support?\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

With the split of the two kingdoms, the text of Chronicles will now diverge even more from the book of Kings. Jeroboam, a former servant of Solomon, leads a rebellion against Rehoboam and the kingdom of Judah. I Kings 11 details the story of how Jeroboam is anointed by the prophet Ahijah to lead the tribes of the North. Ahijah dramatically rips Jeroboam's cloak symbolizing the split of the kingdom. Jeroboam flees to Egypt to hide from Solomon. When Solomon dies, he returns from Egypt to challenge Rehoboam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The entire story of Jeroboam\u2019s anointing and his flight to Egypt is missing from Chronicles. This is understandable as the text is centered on the kings of Judah. A flattering story concerning a major rebel would not fit in that narrative. But the story of Jeroboam's rebellion is an important fact that cannot be ignored, which is why chapter 10 of II Chronicles matches Chapter 12 of I Kings. However, the author of Chronicles is able to downplay Jeroboam in chapter 10 as well, but in a more subtle way. Verse three in both II Chronicles 10 and I Kings 12 is identical: \"They sent for him; and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam...\"\u00a0 Who sent for whom?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In I Kings, the previous verse of chapter 12 is as follows: \"Jeroboam son of Nebat learned of it while he was still in Egypt; for Jeroboam had fled from King Solomon, and had settled in Egypt.\" (I Kings 12:2). \"Settled in Egypt\" in Hebrew is <\/span>vayeshev bemitzraim<\/span><\/em>,<\/em> using the letter \"<\/span>bet<\/span><\/em>.\" Here in Chronicles, however the verse is as follows: \"Jeroboam son of Nebat learned of it while he was in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon, and Jeroboam returned from Egypt.\" (10:2). \"Returned from Egypt\u201d in Hebrew is <\/span>vayashav mimitzraim<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/i>\u00a0with the letter \"<\/span>mem<\/span><\/em>\" before Egypt.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The difference between the meanings in <\/span>Kings and <\/span>in Chronicles changes the latter part of the verse and the meaning of the next verse. In Kings, it's almost a repetition of the clause before, that he escaped from Solomon and settled in Egypt. The next verse \"And they sent for him\" therefore implies that the people sent for Jeroboam, because he was still in Egypt. This meaning shows that Jeroboam already commanded the respect of the people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In II Chronicles, however, the \"and they sent for him\" could be read differently because in the previous verse Jeroboam already returned from Egypt. If he is already back, then he is not the one being summoned. Instead it must be Rehoboam who is being summoned by the people. While still not a flattering story, this neutralizes the idea in I Kings that Jeroboam started with popular support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":100265,"alt":"","title":"2chron10-jeroboam king","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Enter Jeroboam\u00a0\u00a0","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"But did he have popular support?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":100265,"alt":"","title":"2chron10-jeroboam king","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-jeroboam-king-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"10","chapter_main_number":"903","date":"20290213","wall_id":"903"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":4,"id":"100270","color":"#efefef","size":"1","name":"Free Choice v. The Lord\u2019s Plan ","post_title":"Free Choice v. The Lord\u2019s Plan","slug":"free-choice-v-the-lords-plan","old_id":"100270","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":62571,"post_title":"Yaakov Bieler","slug":"yaakov-bieler","old_id":"62571","first_name":"Yaakov ","last_name":"Bieler ","description":"Rabbi Yaakov Bieler has been involved in Jewish education and the synagogue Rabbinate in New York, NY and Silver Spring, MD since being ordained by Yeshiva University in 1974. He has lectured and written extensively on Modern Orthodoxy, and blogs daily at https:\/\/yaakovbieler.wordpress.com ","short_description":"Rabbi Yaakov Bieler has been involved in Jewish education and the synagogue Rabbinate in New York, NY and Silver Spring, MD since being ordained by Yeshiva University. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":62572,"alt":"","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","width":141,"height":180,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler-141x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":141,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","medium-width":141,"medium-height":180,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","medium_large-width":141,"medium_large-height":180,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","large-width":141,"large-height":180,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","1536x1536-width":141,"1536x1536-height":180,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","2048x2048-width":141,"2048x2048-height":180,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","post_full_size-width":141,"post_full_size-height":180,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","home_baner-width":141,"home_baner-height":180}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"903","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Are the choices of political leaders more constrained?\u00a0\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

In II Chronicles 10, the story, that had earlier been told in II Kings 12 appears once again, together with the aside that the reason why Rehoboam opted to listen to the advice of the younger men who had grown up with him, rather than the elders whom he had initially consulted, was because: \u201cGod had brought it about in order that the LORD might fulfill the promise that He had made through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat\u201d (verse 15).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The text is informing us that what seemed to Rehoboam to be a free choice that he alone would be able to make - i.e., either take the advice of the elders, who had told him to \u201cgo easy\u201d on the people\u00a0 in order to earn their enduring loyalty, or listen to the recommendation of his younger peers who urged him to make it even more difficult on his subjects than had his father, Solomon - was in fact a ploy by God to force a civil war, and\u00a0 fulfill the prediction that Ahijah had made to Jeroboam.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But I will take the kingship out of the hands of his (<\/span>Solomon\u2019s<\/span><\/em>) son (<\/span>Rehoboam<\/span><\/em>) and give it to you (<\/span>Jeroboam<\/span><\/em>) \u2014the ten tribes. To his son I will give one tribe, so that there may be a lamp for My servant David forever before Me in Jerusalem\u2014the city where I have chosen to establish My name. But you have been chosen by Me; reign<\/span> wherever you wish, and you shall be king over Israel (I Kings 11:35-7).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

How might such a Divine subterfuge be explained?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The first intimations that \u201cabsolute free choice\u201d may not be the purview of leaders of nations or armies, like kings, prime ministers, and generals, is in the Tanach\u2019s description of the relationship between Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and God:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But I will harden Pharaoh\u2019s heart, that I may multiply My signs and marvels in the land of Egypt. When Pharaoh does not heed you, I will lay My hand upon Egypt and deliver My ranks, My people the Israelites, from the land of Egypt with extraordinary chastisements (Exodus 7:3-4).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, the Exodus from Egypt is not the only instance of Divine Involvement against the will of a particular leader. In addition to Rehoboam, one could add Ahitophel, the erstwhile-advisor of David, who ignominiously chose to support the rebel Absalom: \u201cThe LORD had decreed that Ahithophel\u2019s sound advice be nullified, in order that the LORD might bring ruin upon Absalom\u201d (II Samuel 17:4).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While every individual is guaranteed free choice to govern his personal life, as soon as one takes on the mantel of rulership over others, should God\u2019s Master Plan for humanity be threatened, He invokes the rule expressed in Proverbs and quoted by the commentator Abravanel in this context: \u201cMany designs are in a man\u2019s mind, but it is the LORD\u2019s plan that is accomplished\u201d (Proverbs 19:21).<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":100271,"alt":"","title":"2chron10-choice confusion","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion.png","width":1280,"height":1132,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-300x265.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":265,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-768x679.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":679,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-1024x906.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":906,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":1132,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":1132,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-1200x1061.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1061,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-475x420.png","home_baner-width":475,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Free Choice v. The Lord\u2019s Plan","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Are the choices of political leaders more constrained?\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":100271,"alt":"","title":"2chron10-choice confusion","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion.png","width":1280,"height":1132,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-300x265.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":265,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-768x679.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":679,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-1024x906.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":906,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":1132,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":1132,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-1200x1061.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1061,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-choice-confusion-475x420.png","home_baner-width":475,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"10","chapter_main_number":"903","date":"20290213","wall_id":"903"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":5,"id":"100273","color":"#faeed8","size":"1","name":"A Prophecy Of The Division Of The Kingdom ","post_title":"A Prophecy Of The Division Of The Kingdom","slug":"a-prophecy-of-the-division-of-the-kingdom","old_id":"100273","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"903","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, \u2018until he comes to Shiloh\u2026\u2019\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

In <\/span>my comments to 1 Kings 12<\/span><\/a>, I addressed the contents of this chapter via a most intriguing book: <\/span>The March of Folly<\/span><\/i>, by Pulitzer Prize winning author Barbara W. Tuchman. In Chapter One, entitled \u201cPursuit of Policy Contrary to Self-Interest,\u201d she offered Rehoboam\u2019s rejection of the people\u2019s demand for a tax cut as evidence of how often leaders act foolishly\u2014particularly when more wholesome alternatives are readily available. (The book is subtitled: \u201cFrom Troy to Vietnam\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Here, I would like to focus on a seemingly negligible detail, but one that provides an opportunity to inquire into the commentary we have been calling Pseudo-Rashi (see Ezra 1), whose commentary on v.15 of this chapter sheds additional light on that characterization: \u201cThe king did not listen to the people, for God had brought it about in order that the L<\/span>ORD<\/span> might fulfill the promise that He had made through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u2026So that the Lord God might establish His word, as is delineated in I Kings (11:31\u201337), to remove from [Rehoboam] the ten tribes and to give them to Jeroboam\u2026, this is the meaning of (Gen. 49:10): \"The scepter will not depart from Judah\" [meaning that] he will not be banished from his kingdom, \"until he comes to Shiloh,\" meaning until [the tribe of] Judah comes to Shiloh to crown Rehoboam there, and there the kingdom was divided, and the reign over the ten tribes was lost. Now Shechem is a small city adjacent to Shiloh\u2026And when they would assemble in Shechem, the scepter would depart from Judah, for there the kingdom was divided.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This interpretation appears neither in Rashi\u2019s commentary on 1 Kings 12:15, nor on Genesis 49:10, indicating it is not \u201cauthentic\u201d to him. On the other hand, it does appear in the commentary to Genesis of Rashi\u2019s disciple Yosef Kara:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cNot a tribe will depart from Judah:\u201d There [in Shechem] the kingdom would be divided. In other words, from the reign of David, not a single tribe of Israel would not agree to his rule; they would coronate him unanimously. \u201cUntil he comes to Shiloh:\u201d Until Rehoboam when all Israel came to Shechem to coronate him and then the ten tribes seceded. Shiloh was adjacent to Shechem\u2026<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":100274,"alt":"","title":"2chron10-scepter","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter.jpg","width":1440,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-225x300.jpg","medium-width":225,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-768x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-768x1024.jpg","large-width":768,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter.jpg","1536x1536-width":1152,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter.jpg","2048x2048-width":1440,"2048x2048-height":1920,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-900x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":900,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-315x420.jpg","home_baner-width":315,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"A Prophecy Of The Division Of The Kingdom","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, \u2018until he comes to Shiloh\u2026\u2019","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":100274,"alt":"","title":"2chron10-scepter","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter.jpg","width":1440,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-225x300.jpg","medium-width":225,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-768x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-768x1024.jpg","large-width":768,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter.jpg","1536x1536-width":1152,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter.jpg","2048x2048-width":1440,"2048x2048-height":1920,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-900x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":900,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2chron10-scepter-315x420.jpg","home_baner-width":315,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"10","chapter_main_number":"903","date":"20290213","wall_id":"903"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":6,"id":"100251","color":"#f7e9e9","size":"1","name":"My Little Finger Is Bigger ","post_title":"My Little Finger Is Bigger","slug":"my-little-finger-is-bigger","old_id":"100251","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":54356,"post_title":"Robert Alter","slug":"robert-alter","old_id":"54356","first_name":"Robert ","last_name":"Alter","description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. He has written over twenty books, focusing on such topics as the European novel from the 18th century to the present, contemporary American fiction, and modern Hebrew literature. He has also written extensively on the literary aspects of the Bible. His most recent work is his monumental three volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019 - from which the selections in 929 are taken. ","short_description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, and author of the three-volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":54357,"alt":"","title":"robert alter","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","width":184,"height":275,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","medium-width":184,"medium-height":275,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","medium_large-width":184,"medium_large-height":275,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","large-width":184,"large-height":275,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","1536x1536-width":184,"1536x1536-height":275,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","2048x2048-width":184,"2048x2048-height":275,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","post_full_size-width":184,"post_full_size-height":275,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","home_baner-width":184,"home_baner-height":275}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"903","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"A macho metaphor that is the advice of arrogance","post_main_content_content":"

10:10 - And the young men with whom he had grown up spoke to him, saying, \u201cThus shall you say to the people who spoke to you, saying, \u2018Your father made our yoke heavy, and now lighten it from upon us.\u2019 Thus shall you say to them, \u2018My little finger is thicker than my father\u2019s loins.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\r\n

My little finger is thicker than my father\u2019s loins<\/em> <\/span>- This extravagant metaphor is the advice of arrogance. In the event, Rehoboam deletes these words in his response to the people. A few interpreters have seen a sexual allusion here, perhaps because of the proximity to loins, with \u201clittle finger\u201d a euphemism for the male member (in rabbinic Hebrew, \u201ca little member\u201d means \u201cpenis\u201d). That would be in keeping with the macho brashness of these words.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From: Robert Alter, The Hebrew Bible<\/em>, vol. 3: Writings, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019, ad loc. By permission of the author.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"My Little Finger Is Bigger","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"A macho metaphor that is the advice of arrogance","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"10","chapter_main_number":"903","date":"20290213","wall_id":"903"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":7,"id":"100253","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"Points to Ponder - II Chronicles 10 ","post_title":"Points to Ponder - II Chronicles 10","slug":"points-to-ponder-ii-chronicles-10","old_id":"100253","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"903","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

    \r\n\t
  1. Comp lit<\/em>. The story of the division of the kingdom (which continues to verses 1-4 of the next chapter) is almost exactly the same story as the one in 1 Kings 12:1-24. There are minor stylistic differences, and one missing verse (20). The important difference between\u00a0 Kings and Chronicles is skipping over chapter 11 or 1 Kings, the chapter which tells of the sins of Solomon, about the problems in his kingship, and the prophecy regarding the division of the kingdom. In Chronicles, the division comes as a complete surprise.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. What\u2019s missing is part of the message<\/em>. When we read the parallel in Kings, after verse 19 (which is where our chapter here in Chronicles ends) there is another verse: \u201cWhen all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent messengers and summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the House of David.\u201d It is perhaps impossible to change history, but it is possible not to write explicitly the most painful details. <\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","post_main_content_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"II Chronicles 10","tile_main_caption":"Points to Ponder ","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Insights and questions for personal reflection and group discussion","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"10","chapter_main_number":"903","date":"20290213","wall_id":"903"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/99929"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}